64 GAME BIRDS AND SHOOTING-SKETCHES 



where all who would enter for the tournament must 

 come to prove their valour. These places are called 

 " Playing-grounds," and are usually situated on some 

 grassy flat at the edge of a nioor or wood where the 

 birds have roosted. Thither the birds come at or just 



HYBRID BLACKGAME AND PHEASANT. 



before daybreak, the Blackcocks generally arriving some- 

 what sooner than the Greyhens, but at times with them. 1 



There are few more beautiful sights than a Blackcock's 

 " playing-ground " in the spring. Whether he be sports- 

 man or naturalist, the man who will for once rouse himself 



1 On two occasions I waited from daylight, at 4 A.M., till 7.30 before a 

 single hen made her appearance. 



