54 



BLACK COCK SHOOTING. 



tails, and displaying the beautifully contrasting white 

 under tail-covers ; he is soon heard by the females, 

 who crowd around their lord and master. This 

 season of admiration does not continue long ; the 

 females, or grey hens, disperse, to seek proper 



THE OREY HEN. 



situations for depositing their eggs, while the males, 

 losing their feeling for love and fighting, re-assemble 

 in small parties, and seek the shelter of the brush 

 and fern beds to complete a new moult; and are 

 seldom seen, except early in the morning or at even- 

 ing, when they exhibit a degree of timidity the very 

 reverse of their former boldness and vigilance." 



The young may be deemed full grown early in 

 September : but, even then, in districts that have 



