WOODCOCK SHOOTING. 93 



.he ox, stag, &c. He is urgent iii recommending that, whatever 

 animal is imitated, it should be made " true in form, and correct in 

 proportions, as well as coloured to the life." The best time foi 

 stalking was at early morn, or dewy eve. 



Ireland is highly praised for its woodcock sporting. Colonel 

 Hawker says, " that a real good sportsman feels more gratified by 

 iflushing and killing a woodcock, or even a few snipes, than bags 

 jfull of game that have been reared on his own or neighboiu-'s 

 ,estate. Localities of cock shooting are widely distributed over the 

 ^British dominions. L-eland throughout is unquestionably the very 

 ibest spot for a zealot in cock and snipe shooting ; the nature of the 

 ground, inclined as it is to bog and marsh, suits the one and the 

 other of these birds." On the same subject, Mr. ThornJiill says, 

 " If a sportsman is fond of cock shooting, it wiU repay him well for 

 Ms trouble to take a trip to Ireland ; it is not material what part 

 to recommend, as it is impossible almost to go to a bad place for 

 sport. As to asking leave, it is needless; as the only cause of 

 jealousy that can subsist between the visitor and the owner of the 

 ground will be for not acquainting him of his coming, in order that 

 he might have itin his power to receive him in the usual hospitable 

 manner, by providing beaters to show hun sport, giving him the 

 best of fare, a good bottle of claret, a sincere and hearty welcome, 

 assuring his guest, the longer he stays and honours him with his 

 companv, the more welcome he is, and the happier he will make 

 him." * 



* On the nature of the Woodcock, and the Sporting coimected withit, eee Bewick, 

 Montague, Blane, and other writers. 



