The Confessions of a Poacher. 79 



outpaced. The great risk incurred by this 

 method will be seen, when it is stated that 

 pheasants are generally reared close by the 

 keeper's cottage, and that their coverts immedi- 

 ately surround it. It is mostly armed mouchers 

 who enter these, and not the 

 more gifted (save the mark !) 

 country poacher. And there 

 are reasons for this. Oppo- 

 sition must always be an- 

 ticipated, for, speaking 

 for the nonce from the 

 game -keeper's stand- 

 point, the covert never 

 should be, and rarely 

 1 7 is, unwatched. Then 

 ' there are the certain re- 

 ' suits of possible capture to 

 be taken into account. This 

 affected, and with birds in one's 

 possession, the poacher is liable 

 to be indicted upon so many concurrent charges, 

 each and all having heavy penalties. Than this 

 I obtained my game in a different and quieter 



