PREFACE. 



THESE pages formed the occupation of the 

 Author during many months of severe and 

 dangerous illness, when he was wholly inca- 

 pable of attending to more useful studies, 

 or of following more serious pursuits. They 

 formed his amusement in many hours, which 

 otherwise would have been unoccupied and 

 tedious; and they are published in the hope 

 that they may possess an interest for those 

 persons who derive pleasure from the sim- 

 plest and most attainable kind of rural sports, 

 and who practise the art, or patronize the 





