Pheasant Shooting 143 



trees. The wood, I should mention, was 

 situated on the side of a gradually sloping 

 hill, and through the centre of the cleared 

 portion, where the hollies grew, a broad ride 

 ran from top to bottom. The guns were 

 divided, three going along the top and three 

 at the bottom ; two of the top and two of 

 the bottom guns went forward to line the 

 centre ride, whilst one gun on either side 

 walked a little ahead of the beaters. Upon 

 the signal being given the beaters advanced, 

 keeping excellent line. Before many yards 

 had been traversed a single bird rose, then a 

 little further on three or four got up together, 

 some being accounted for, others " carrying 

 on " to the far end. Presently a shout from 

 the top side, " Mark cock ! " put us on the 

 alert, when suddenly, like a flash of brown, a 

 woodcock swept over the lower gun ahead 

 of the beaters, and was dropped in excellent 

 style 



