230 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



been produced between them.* The moors of 

 which I speak abound in plants which furnish 

 the favourite food of black game, such as whortle- 

 berries, bog myrtles, heather, dwarf willows, 

 young Scotch firs and birches; .and besides the 

 ample autumnal gleaning provided by the neigh- 

 bouring cornfields, the same barley-stack that 

 the keeper now raises for his pheasants in the 

 plantations, would prove equally attractive to 

 the northern emigrant during the winter season. 

 Indeed there seems to be but one important 

 though, I trust, not insuperable obstacle. Estates 

 in the south of England, however extensive, are 

 seldom included in ( a ring fence.' Many a little 

 tongue of moorland, or cover, or arable ground, 

 protrudes its unwelcome presence into the pre- 

 serves of the large landed proprietor, and proves 

 a thorn in the side of himself and his game- 

 keepers. These frequently belong to persons 

 in the middle class of life, who, although too 

 thrifty or penurious to assist in the main- 

 tenance or protection of game, are ever ready 



* Mr. Yarrell has recorded thirteen examples, some of 

 which are illustrated by beautiful woodcuts. There is another 

 in the Chichester Museum which partakes strongly of the cha- 

 racter of both parents, and I have seen a very beautiful speci- 

 men at Hollycombe the residence of Sir Charles Taylor, 

 Bart. which was shot in Wolmer forest. 



