BIRDS OF PREY 139 



It was noticed that after the appearance of the 

 works I have mentioned stuffed eagles or their heads, 

 with the heads and antlers of the red deer, were 

 indispensable decorations of a gentleman's hall if he 

 made any pretensions to be a sportsman. Some there 

 were who could by no means lay claim to that title, 

 but whose walls were well covered with trophies not- 

 withstanding. I have a very vivid recollection of such 

 a one. He had money and a fine house, and, to do 

 him justice, he was certainly much given to hospitality. 

 He lived in rather a lonely district, and the few there 

 were to visit him were somewhat unsophisticated. He 

 was a man of taste so far as colour was concerned, 

 and the walls of his hall would have satisfied the 

 fastidious taste of the present day, with their soft- 

 greenish-grey tint and dado of polished oak. A few 

 stained-glass windows gave a rich touch to the whole. 

 On the walls, on oak shields, were hung trophies of 

 the chase ; on a stand in the centre of the hall was a 

 fine eagle, well set up. Fronting the entrance door, 

 in the place of honour, were a magnificent pair of 

 antlers, whereon hangs a tale. 



After dinner, where the wines were good and 

 generous, he would invite his guest or guests to look 

 at what he termed his wild beast show. He was a 

 most genial showman, and always took pains that 



