WOODCOCK CAUGHT. 151 



eastern horizon. Nor was I long kept in uncer- 

 tainty, for on emerging from the sedges, there 

 hung dangling before my eyes, suspended like a 

 gibbeted felon in mid-air a woodcock. He was 

 noosed round the neck, and although still warm 

 was quite dead; and as I smoothed down his 

 ruffled, though bloodless feathers, and admired 

 the exquisite arrangement of his plumage, I 

 thought he was worthy of a place in my collec- 

 tion. There he now occupies a conspicuous niche, 

 and I never look at him without thinking of 

 bygone days, the swamp in the glen, and the old 

 poacher and his springe. 



