WARWICK WOODLANDS. 121 



long southern slope covered with close dwarf cedars, and 

 watered by some tepid springs, not far from Pine Brook ; and I 

 liave been told that the rabbit shooters, who always go out in a 

 party between Christmas and New Year's day, almost invariably 

 flush a bird or two there in mid-winter. The same thing is 

 told of a similar situation on the seuth-western slope of Staten 

 island ; and I believe truly in both instances. These, however, 

 inust, I think, be looked upon not as cases of late emigration, 

 but as rare instances of the bird wintering here to the north- 

 ward ; which. I doubt not a few do annually. I should like 

 much to know if there is any State of the Union where the 

 cock is perennial* I do not see why he should not be so in 

 Maryland or Delaware, though I have never heard it stated so 

 to be. The great heat of the extreme southern summer drives 

 them north, as surely as our northern winter sends them south ; 

 and the great emigrations of the main flight are northward in 

 February and March, and southward in November, varying by 

 a few days only according to the variations of the seasons !" 



" Well, I trust they have not emigrated hence yet ha ! ha ! 

 ha !" laughed the Commodore, with his peculiar hearty, deep- 

 toned merriment. 



" Not they ! not they ! I warrant them," said Archer ; " but 

 that to-morrow must bring forth." 



" Come, Harry," exclaimed Forester, after a little pause, " spin 

 us a shooting yarn, to kill the time, till we get to fat Tom's." 



" A yarn ! well, what shall it be ?" 



" I don't know ; oh ! yes ! yes ! I do. You once told me some- 

 thing about a wolf-hunt, and then shut up your mouth all at 

 once, and would give me no satisfaction." 



" A wolf-hunt f " cried the Commodore, " were you ever at a 

 wolf-hunt ; and here in this country, Harry ?" 



" Indeed was I, and " 



u The story, then, the story ; we must have it," 



u Oh ! as for story, there is not much " 



" The story ! the story !" shouted Frank. You may as well 

 begin at once, for we will have it." 



Oh ! very well. All is one to me, but you will be tired 

 of it before I have got through, so here goes for 



A WOLF HUNT ON THE WARWICK HILLS," 

 said Archer, and without more ado, spun his yarn as follows : 

 % There are few wilder regions within the compass of the 

 6 



