256 THE NEW FOREST 



transitory. We had, as before, a few additional 

 broods, and then the decrease set in again ; and 

 now it has prevailed so far that, for the last few 

 years, the days when one encountered a blackcock 

 or greyhen were few, and to be marked with a 

 white stone. And I can recollect myself counting 

 23 blackcocks on a " curling ground " near Ridley 

 Wood. In those days one never rode about the 

 forest, especially on its northern side, without 

 encountering at least half a dozen black game. 



The truth is that when a stock of game birds 

 gets down to a very low ebb, especially that of 

 a variety so easily destroyed in the early days 

 of its life as is the black grouse, it is almost im- 

 possible to revive it in a country where it is 

 customary for foxhounds to pursue their sport 

 for five and even six days a week without the fear 

 of running short of quarry. It is sad to have to 

 record it, but I found the two things incompatible. 



As an illustration of what the New Forest 

 shooting is like, I am able to give an extract 

 from the carefully kept game-book of Messrs. H. 

 F. and F. C. Wingrove of Langley House, Totton. 

 These two brothers shot together systematically 

 for many years after 1886, and during the ten 

 preceding years Mr. H. F. Wingrove shot either 

 alone, or with a licence that enabled him to be 

 accompanied by a friend. 



