280 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XIX. 



be knocked down before the pointer's nose with a 

 stick almost as easily as shot ; indeed I have fre- 

 quently seen them caught in the hand. When in 

 full vigour and plumage there is no handsomer bird 

 than an old blackcock, and although his size makes 

 him an easy mark, his cunning and strength are 

 pretty good securities for his not falling too readily 

 to the sportsman's gun. But in August even the 

 old birds are not fit to shoot, being neither in per- 

 fect condition nor in full plumage. The blackcock 

 is much more addicted to feeding in the corn-fields 

 than the grouse is, and takes long flights for the 

 purpose of reaching some favourite stubble-field. 



Few stags have got the velvet off their horns 

 during August, except in favoured situations, 

 where good feeding in the spring and winter has 

 enabled them to keep up their condition and the 

 strength which is required for the production and 

 growth of their weighty antlers. 



I find that towards the end of August, when the 

 hill lakes and swamps are much disturbed by 

 grouse-shooters, the wild-ducks bring down their 

 young broods in great numbers, both to the bay and 

 to the lochs. Every evening I can make sure of 

 killing a brace or two as they fly to the corn-fields 

 regularly when the sun sets ; indeed they some- 

 times do considerable damage by trampling down 



