82 THE HAZEL GROUSE 



great many more empty cartridg-e cases than 

 birds. 



Now we can cast up the merits of the 

 bird, and weigh the pros and cons of the 

 matter. In favour of accHmatisation we 

 have — (i) That the bird Is calculated to 

 thrive In British woodlands ; (2) that he 

 is excellent eating- ; (3) that he can afford 

 good sport if he alone is the object sought 

 for ; (4) that he will never stray from the 

 woodlands ; (5) that he will never do any 

 damage to crops. 



Against him we must urge — (i) That In 

 covert shooting, as now arranged, not 

 one of these birds would ever come to 

 the gun ; (2) that where they were syste- 

 matically shot, as I have above indicated, 

 the pheasants would be greatly disturbed 

 and driven off 



