266 SHOOTING-RIGHTS OF 



will just glance at the position and the line 

 of conduct of a good many small free- 

 holders — those, in fact, whose action has 

 served to point out the objectionableness 

 of their existence as owners of sporting- 

 riohts. A. B. owns rather under one acre 

 of land, inclusive of that on which his 

 cottage and pigstye stand. It is, of course, 

 o^arden o-round. One side of it skirts a 

 road, but everywhere else it is surrounded 

 by Mr. C.'s pheasant covert. Now, gardens 

 contain many things dear to a pheasant's 

 palate, not to speak of the little patch of 

 buckwheat we so often see in such places, 

 which tells so plain a tale. Now, by the 

 law of England, A. B. has exactly the same 

 rights as the squire. He can, provided 

 he take out a game certificate, shoot, wire, 

 or otherwise take every pheasant he may 



