DEC. ROEBUCKS BLACKCOCKS. 59 



they become so paralysed with fear, that the snake 

 has nothing to do but to seize them. Any person 

 who has seen one of our common snakes swallow a 

 large frog will readily believe all accounts of deer 

 being swallowed by the giant-serpent of the East. 



Early in December the roebucks lose their horns. 

 I have shot them during the first week of this month 

 with the horns so loose that they have fallen off as 

 the animal was carried home. They are, however, 

 in as good or perhaps even better order for the 

 table in December than at any other time. 



The roe being very much disturbed by wood- 

 cutters in most of our woods, keep to the wild 

 rough extent of cover, too young for the axe, which 

 lies between the upper country and the shore; there 

 they live in tolerable security, in company with the 

 foxes, black game, and wild-fowl which tenant the 

 woods and swamps of that district. Occasionally, 

 whilst I am woodcock-shooting, a roe affords a 

 pleasant variety and weighty addition to the game- 

 bag. All my dogs, whether pointers, spaniels, ter- 

 riers, or retrievers, become very eager when on the 

 scent of roe. 



The blackcocks, like other birds, are very fond of 

 catching the last evening rays of a winter's sun, and 

 are always to be found in the afternoon on banks 

 facing the west, or swinging, if there is no wind, on 



