80 GAME BIRDS AND SHOOTIXG-SKETCHES 



sportsmen, therefore, will spare their blackgame till a 

 fitting season, when, in return for the temporary respite, 

 the birds will have gained strength and beauty, and will 

 give to the successful shooter a pleasant feeling of gratifi- 

 cation that appeals to his sense of beauty and pride. 



The second week in July robs the Blackcock of his 

 tail, and with it seems to go his fiery nature. From 

 the roaming knight, proud in gorgeous trappings, which 

 he is ready to display and prove his right to, he now 

 changes to a shiftless wanderer, skulking for the greater 

 part of the day in the thick bracken or gorse covers 

 that constitute his home at this season. Bereft of his 

 splendour he seems ashamed of himself, and only ventures 

 out of his retreat in the very early mornings and late 

 evenings. He may then occasionally be seen sitting 

 disconsolately on some hummock amongst the peat-hags, 

 in company with one or two others, woe-begone like 

 himself. 



On these occasions, Blackcocks are shier than at any 

 other time, and will move off to cover on the slightest 

 sign of danger. But if the intruder is between them 

 and the wood, they will pass right over his head, should 

 he stand still. When once in their leafy homes, their 

 demeanour becomes quite as lamb-like as that of their 

 wives and families, and I have seen an old Blackcock 

 fly right into the pointer's mouth, having become so 

 confused that he did not know how to make his escape 

 after sitting so tight ! 



When September has nearly ended, the Blackgame 

 gather together and form their regular winter packs, 

 which may be divided usually into those composed of 



