ON SHOOTING. 187 



pitch near the edge. Secondly, there is in most cases a 

 ditch or a stream near which woodcocks will be found more 

 probably than elsewhere. Thirdly, any old wall, or remains 

 of a ruined wall, at the edge of a covert, is a favourite 

 spot. Walls make shelter from frost, and collect blown 

 leaves ; these in time form leaf-mould, beloved of the 

 woodcock as easy and productive " prodding " material for 

 his sensitive bill. 



I need not enlarge again on the dog question ; avoid the 

 " long and low " stamp of spaniel, and you have plenty of 

 others to choose from now that the Springer type is being 

 sensibly bred. Such a happy hunting-ground as I have 

 attempted to describe may give you a good deal of happy 

 hunting before you find it ; if the search entails some little 

 exploration, you are to be envied ; have you read Nicolson ? 



Athens, Naples and Rome 



I would see them before I die, 



But I'd rather not see any one of the three 



Than be sever' d for ever from Skye. 



