260 FRANK FORESTER S FIELD SPORTS. 



dant nor inexpert in the mysteries of the fowlingpiece, — the 

 latter deliberate, though ardent, perfect with the gun, steady 

 with the dogs, and a master of those noble sciences, hight, 

 venerie, and woodcraft. 



They are both aptly habited for the field, in russet shooting- 

 jackets, of stout corduroy, or fustian, long-waisted waistcoats, 

 low-crowned hats, and ankle-boots of cowhide. The younger 

 man, however, sports a pair of loose, fashionably-cut trousers, 

 while the elder has donned knee breeches, and tight russet lea- 

 thern leggins. Each has a double-barrelled gun under his arm, 

 and the other appliances of flask and pouch, hidden in his 

 roomy pockets. Neither wears any game-bag, but an ivory 

 whistle is suspended from the upper button-hole of both jackets. 



The dogs whicli are following, docile at the heel, are a brace 

 of Setters of the highest breed, one a red dog, with a black 

 nose, and without a speck of white, except a snip on his breast, 

 and a tag to his fine, feathery stern, — the other black and tan ; 

 the perfection each, this of the Irish, that of the English strain, 

 and indicating in some sort that perfection by their colors. 



" And so, Peritus," said the younger and slighter man, as they 

 took their way through the outskirts of the village, " you augur 

 well of our chance of sport to-day V 



" I do not think, Agilis," replied his friend, " that there is 

 any chance about it. It has been a good breeding year for 

 Quail, and they say that they are abundant ; then the autumn 

 has been seasonable, and the nights have not been sharp enough 

 to banish the Woodcock. There is a bit of pretty Snipe ground 

 on our beat too, and we shall get a few couple, without doubt. 

 Those, with a brace or two of Ruffed Grouse, which, I dare say, 

 we shall manage to pick up among the cedar knolls, and along 

 the wood-edges, a few Hares, and, perhaps, some Wood-duck, 

 or Teal, or even a Mallard, by chance, will make up something 

 in the way of a bag." 



" Do you expect to find all these varieties of game 1 I have 

 never shot above three kinds in a day." 



" Ah ! you have not shot before in autumn in America. For 



