SPORT AT POLTALLOCH 235 



We talk of the conquest of the air, and it would 

 seem as if the lesson was at least partly learned ; well 

 were it for the hapless aeronauts who almost every 

 day pay the penalty of their daring if they could 

 acquire this second gift of their winged models that 

 of falling with impunity ! 



The birds are coming thicker now, and my pride 

 has a fall, as the next two birds pass over my head 

 apparently unscathed. I try to persuade myself that 

 it is not my fault, and that no gun made by human 

 gun-maker would reach them ; but my theory is rudely 

 disproved by my youngest son, who, standing im- 

 mediately behind me, brings down out of the clouds 

 one of the cocks I have just missed. All are now at 

 work, for the pheasants are coming thicker, and great 

 is the jubilation over each successful shot ; but although 

 the guns are above the average, many more birds 

 escape than are gathered. As the beaters approach 

 nearer the birds are easier, as they rise from a lower 

 slope and are not flying so fast. I confess I should 

 like to see some of the absolutely first-class guns, such 

 as our present King, Lord Eipon, or Lord Walsing- 

 ham, try their hands at these high-flyers. I think a 

 fair proportion would still manage to run the gauntlet 

 with success. 



The pick-up is not very large when we finish the 

 beat and move across to Calton Mor wood, where we 

 hope to meet not a few of our friends again at somewhat 

 closer quarters, and to gather a few of the high birds 

 that have flown on apparently uninjured to collapse 

 suddenly when out of sight over the brow of the hill. 

 One or two woodcocks have found their way into the 

 bag, but they are not particularly fond of these old 



