226 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
States where the game bird was hunted by torchlight, 
and killed “ without the benefit of clergy,” created the 
same sensation among the “legitimists,” as is felt at Saint 
Germain’s, because there is “‘ no Bourbon on the throne” 
—a thrill of horror pervaded the hearts of many who 
could believe such a thing posszble—while the more 
“strait laced” and deeply conscientious, disbelieved 
entirely,“ and pronounced the report too incredible 
for any thing but a “hoax.” Yet, woodcock fire-hunting 
is a fact, although most circumscribed in its geographical 
limits, the reasons for which, will appear in the attempt 
at a description of the sport. 
Woodcock fire-hunting is almost entirely confined to 
a narrow strip of country running from the mouth of the 
Mississippi, up the river about three hundred miles. This 
narrow strip of country is the rich and thickly settled land 
that borders on the river, and which varies from one to 
three miles in width; it is in fact nothing but the ridge 
or high ground that separates the Mississippi from the 
interminable swamps, that compose so great a portion of 
the State of Louisiana. 
The habits of the woodcock make it entirely a noc- 
turnal bird ; it retires into these swamps that border its 
feeding grounds during the day, and is perfectly safe 
from interruption ; hidden among the tangled vines, 
cane-brakes, and bogey land, it consults alike its pleasure 
and safety; finds convenient places for its nests, and 
raises its young, with the assurance of being undisturb- 
