236 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



would have been at least double. As it was I saved 

 nearly every bird, for in the numerous shipments 

 which I made to a wide circle of acquaintances I 

 did not hear of one arriving at its destination unfit 

 for the table. Now, in September, this would have 

 been impossible, though hours had been spent over 

 each packing-case, and the expected hamper contained 

 at starting as much ice and a little more sawdust than 

 game. Some knowing hands profess that by imme- 

 diately drawing the fowl upon being knocked over, 

 and stuffing a wisp of grass in the cavity, putre- 

 faction will be delayed ; but what an agreeable opera- 

 tion to have to perform ! Fancy stopping in the 

 middle of a covey, with dogs standing, to perform 

 the functions of the kitchen-maid ! the humanity or 

 refinement of the proceeding, the afterwards loading 

 and handling your handsome breech-loader with your 

 well- daubed hands ! or, perhaps in a fit of desperation, 

 caused by the attack of some bloodthirty mosquito 

 giving your nose or forehead the benefit of their 

 friendly intervention ! But it is too horrible to think 

 of. All these drawbacks can be warded off or pre- 

 vented by not shooting till the weather is suitable ; 

 or, better still, not permitting shooting till such a 

 date as we have reason to expect a sufficiently cool 

 temperature ; making it actionable for game- dealers to 



