26 



GAME BIRDS AND SHOOTING-SKETCHES 



effect this. After several shots he succeeded in winging 

 an old fellow, and from the account he gave us of the 

 unprovoked assault the dastardly bird had made on his 

 person when he went to pick it up, we began to thank 

 Providence for having been pleased to spare for the 

 benefit of his country one of the most brilliant ornaments 

 this age has seen. This 

 naturally excited one's 

 curiosity to see the dar- 

 ing scoundrel, and after 

 advancing to the spot 

 where the bird was last 

 seen, not without a con- 



DAWN (Capercaillie Cocks fighting). 



siderable amount of caution, he was discovered concealed 

 in a drain in the wood, from which he was extracted, and 

 attempts were made to again excite his bellicose disposition, 

 but, alas ! without success. Perhaps the prickings of his 

 conscience had been too much, and remorse had seized 

 upon him for his recent conduct, and he had given way 

 to despair. Still it is hardly fair to make statements 

 without thoroughly sifting both sides of the question, 



