WOODCOCK SHOOTING 307 



and will test your skill. Cross the meadows then and 

 go down into the swamp, working along near the edge, 

 where the underbrush is not too thick, and the soil 

 under the leaves, as you can see in the cattle tracks, 

 is rich and black. Just beyond you, on the left, a steep 

 hillside rises sharply from the edge of the swamp, its 

 surface overgrown with low cedars, sumacs and bay- 

 berry bushes. The old dog comes out of the swamp 

 and turns toward the slope, and as he crosses before 

 you glances back inquiringly. He knows the hillside, 

 and understands as well as you do that a cock is usu- 

 ally to be found on that warm southern exposure at 

 this time of the year. No need to wave the hand or 

 use any elaborate signal to tell him to work up among 

 the cedars and through the brush. A little sidewise 

 movement of the head, and he is breasting the steep 

 ascent and rustling among the twigs and the crisp 

 leaves, while you walk along a cowpath at the foot of 

 the slope. If there be a bird there it will be sure to 

 fly toward the swamp, and must therefore cross in 

 front of you. For a few moments you hear the dog 

 as he works above you; then the sound ceases, and 

 as you pause to listen for it there comes to the ear 

 that shrill whistle, so like the midsummer twitter of 

 the kingbird, that warns you to "mark cock." You 

 see a brown flash among the green cedars, and the 

 bird darts out to plunge into the swamp; but as he 

 sees you he turns sharply and flies down the path, 

 straight away. You have plenty of time; bring up 

 your gun deliberately, cover the bird, and when it is 



