51 



CHAP. VI. 



PHEASANT SHOOTING. — OEDEAL FOR YOUNG SPORTSMEN. — SHOOT- 

 ING IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND WINDSOR. — CAMP ON BAGSHOT 



HEATH. THE POET BOWLES. — BATTUES AT COL. ADEANE's. 



BATTUE AT GENERAL BULWER's. — GOLD PHEASANTS AT BLENHEIM. 



" Not so the pheasant on his charms presumes, 

 Though he, too, has a glory in his plumes ; 

 He, Christian-like, retreats with modest mien, 

 To the close copse, or far sequestered green, 

 And shines -without desiring to he seen." — Cuwper. 



Welcome October I This I consider altogether the 

 most agreeable month in the year for field sports. The 

 rays of the sun are now moderated, and occasion less 

 fatigue both to the sportsman and his dogs. You have 

 also a greater variety of game, for as the partridge 

 shooting is still very good, more particularly in the 

 counties where turnips and cole seed are much cultivated, 

 you find occasionally pheasants in these fields, and fre- 

 quently in the hedge-rows. The days are still suffi- 

 ciently long for a good day's sporting, and the weather 

 warm enough to induce the game to lie well. 



It is generally asserted that there are more fine days 

 in this month than in any month in the year, and I 

 believe it to be the case. Charles the Second said that 



