254 IN HIGH SUFFOLK 



these birds, which give them all the pleasure of running 

 the foot scent, as they slip up and down the ditches, 

 with the final excitement of a flush. To-day the snow 

 wreaths so weighed the brambles down that the birds 

 could slip along underneath them, though the dogs 

 could not. Several, however, must have run forward 

 to a small pond further on, for from the banks of this 

 the dogs flushed five, first " setting " them, and then 

 making a rush. The water-hen, unable to dive or 

 flutter across the water, rose high, and flew back over 

 our heads towards the house and moat, giving very 

 pretty shots, and we secured all five. 



After leaving some of the game at the farm, and 

 getting our cherry brandy flasks refilled, we decided to 

 send the man home with the rest of the game, and go 

 ourselves to a small spinney near at hand to wait for 

 wood-pigeons. Twilight was coming on fast, but the 

 light was reflected from the snow, and an early moon 

 was already up, looking silvery and white. 



Waiting quietly under the fir-trees, I could hear the 

 sounds in the farmyard as the horses were watered and 

 taken to the stable, and the calls of the partridges 

 before going to their roosting-places in the snow. 

 Then an inquisitive jay came down the plantation to 

 have a peep at the intruder, and was shot. A flock of 

 fieldfares then next arrived, with squeaks and chattering, 

 and I was tempted to try and add a few of these 

 excellent birds to the projected " water-cock pie." 

 Just then I heard the " swish " of wings, and a flock of 

 pigeons circled round, and settled in the larches near. 



