FINCHES. 39 



But for our part we think there is a very good time ahead 

 for the small birds, and probably an enlightened public 

 opinion will learn to recognize in them faithful allies on the 

 farm lands, and delightful associates in the uplands and 

 wildernesses. 



Abroad they take a very practical interest in their small 

 game, especially in the French mainland, as also in the 

 Mediterranean islands. From Corsica, for instance, vast 

 quantities of birds are sent to the Gallic markets, and they 

 are indeed the most popular "game " in the island. 



"AMONG THE COESICAN SCRUB." 



We, that is to say, W and myself, on one occasion had 



finished supper, and were smoking, in grim discontent, over 

 a roaring fire of fir-cones in a little Corsican inn, the howling 

 north wind rattling the badly joined window frames, and the 

 rain pelting on the glass like so much small shot, as indeed 

 it had done with scarcely a pause for seven days, every- 

 thing feeling dull and uncomfortable, even a few feet from 

 the blaze, when a footfall sounded in the passage, and the 

 next moment our door was thrown open by a much be- 

 wrapped Frenchman, who immediately advanced with out- 

 spread hands, giving us a tremendously cordial greeting 

 after the fashion of his country, and without more delay 

 than served to divest monsieur of his two wet overcoats and 

 uncoil a dozen yards of " comforter " from his neck, we 

 refilled our pipes and plunged into the subject that so much 

 interested us. 



Monsieur R was our chief reliance for sport in the 



island, whither we had come to spend the winter. We had 

 made his acquaintance on board the French steamer, and as 

 he was a well-known chasseur, he had promised to show us 

 whatever sport there was to be had in Corsica, hence his 

 welcome appearance on the wet evening of which I write. 



