BLACKGAME 67 



to light his candle and dress in the cold grey morning, in 

 order to visit one of them, will, half an hour later, feel 

 highly pleased with himself and his supernatural activity, 

 and, as he goes swinging along at a good pace over the 

 heather, he will actually feel the most intense pity for 

 those unfortunates who know not of such joys. The 

 light morning breeze fans his cheek and he feels a glow 

 of health pervade his being as he draws each fresh breath 

 into his lungs. Every few moments, too, bring with them 

 fresh pleasures as the opening day advances, and he 

 watches Nature awaking from her sleep and all her little 

 feathered songsters vying with each other to excel in 

 praise of the God that made them. 



The Thrush and the Lark are the first birds to stir, 

 and their song can be heard long before there is sufficient 

 light to distinguish them. Soon the " AVhirroo " of the 

 Blackcock and the " Goback " of the Grouse join the chorus 

 just as the day conies peeping in, and you make out the 

 misty forms of the little bunnies chasing one another over 

 the heath. Then a hare will perhaps come cantering up 

 to the place of ambush you have chosen to see the Black- 

 cock fray, and will sit up with serene composure whilst he 

 proceeds with his morning toilet ; one creature follows 

 another in obtruding itself on your presence, and you look 

 on with pleasure and wonder at the absence of fear amongst 

 them which meet you on all sides. Even that most timid 

 and graceful of all animals, the roebuck, cannot make up 

 his mind to flee in terror, as is his wont, but advances with 

 slow and hesitating steps : he knows quite well there is 

 something wrong, having got your wind, but for once 

 regards you as an object of intense curiosity, cocking his 



