788 MANUAL OF MODi^R]!^ FARRIERY. 



resorted to hedge-rows and furze-covers, to avoid the droppings 

 of the trees. In these situations, therefore, good sport may 

 be expected. When a pheasant is found bj a setter, instead 

 of flying to a distance, it will frequently perch upon an ad- 

 joining tree, and challenge, (that is, make a chuckling noise,) 

 which they seldom do when started by a springer or cocker. 



It is always found that pheasants lie well in hedge-rows ; 

 and in the absence of springers, setters or pointers will an- 

 swer equally well, as it frequently becomes necessary to 

 shake the bush before the birds will rise. When birds are 

 sprung, what is to be done is fully and clearly expressed by 

 the poet Pye : — 



^ No open view along th' encumber'd field 

 To the cool aim will time and distance yield ; 

 But the nice circumstance will oft demand 

 The quickest eyesight and the readiest hand. 

 Swift as he rises from the thorny brake, 

 With instant glance the fleeting mark to take, 

 And with prompt aim the transient moment seize 

 'Mid the dim gloom of intervening trees. 

 His gaudy plumage when the male displays 

 In bright luxuriance to the solar rays, 

 Arrest with hasty shot his whirring speed. 

 And see unblamed the shining victim bleed 

 But when the hen to thy discerning view 

 Her sober pinions spreads of duskier hue, 

 The attendant keeper's prudent warning hear. 

 And spare the offspring of the future year ; 

 Else shall the fine which custom laid of old 

 Avenge her slaughter by the forfeit gold." 



This last line refers to a custom which, Mr. Bingley justly 

 observes, " that, like the laws of the Modes and Persians, 

 should never be altered, nor ever suffered to be evaded : it 

 preserves the future stock of game, and is a needful check to 

 occasional near-sighted, or wilfully ignorant gentlemen. Of 



