202 WITH THE WOODLANDERS. 



of grapes. No sportsman at that time would allow 

 the plumage of the birds that fell to his gun to be 

 "mucked about" if he could possibly help it. Fishing 

 and shooting are, I know, wide apart as sports, but 

 the good old rule for feather will apply equally well 

 to fin in this matter. 



A good all-round angler, if he has had luck, 

 will turn the fish out of his creel in perfect order, 

 a layer of fish and a layer of sedge or fern alter- 

 nately. Out they come, a glittering heap, with their 

 scaling perfect ; and when treated in this manner they 

 form really the most beautiful pictures of still life the 

 eye can rest on. 



The partridge, like that blessed bird of the High- 

 lander, the red grouse, is considered to be a bird 

 of good omen throughout the whole length and 

 breadth of the country-side ; for when his cheery 

 call sounds from furrow and ridge the spring is 

 coming, and summer will follow. Then also there 

 is good to be got from the fresh scent of the 

 ploughed fields, for there is truly life in the earth. 



The plough has been left turned up on its side 

 on the edge of this large field for two hours or more; 

 warm showers have fallen at intervals through the 



