186 LETTERS TO YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



weather to the more vigorous growth ; dead bracken was 

 seldom used for more than a day or two, and then chiefly 

 by new arrivals, generally to be found in pairs, to separate 

 after a few days' residence. Quite unaccountably, these birds 

 seemed to be of a brighter colour than those which had 

 haunted the ground for some tune. 



ANY OLD WALL IS A FAVOURITE SPOT. 



One final remark as to beating for woodcock, applicable 

 to all coverts, whether woods or mere patches of scrub ; 

 after beating, or hunting, the covert, beat or hunt round the 

 outside carefully, for three reasons. First, birds you have 

 flushed inside will be loath to leave altogether and will often 



