178 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



old feeding-grounds for the Far South, or other spots equally re- 

 mote. This is not the case ; for woodcocks, as before mentioned, 

 remain with us till the cold weather sets in, and if they were not 

 slaughtered in such immense numbers during June and July we 

 should have an abundance of them in the months of September and 

 October. But the fact is, they are nearly all killed during these 

 months, and the few which are left unharmed have become so wild 

 and cunning that they are difficult to be got at. We all know that 

 it is no very unusual thing for even a tolerable shot to bag fifteen 

 or twenty couples of young cocks in the course of one day's shoot- 

 ing ; and well may he do it, and make a brag of it besides, when 

 he goes after birds which may be shot on their nests, or are being 

 led about by their anxious parents in quest of food. 



The game-laws of most of our States are a "mere bagatelle" 

 that no one regards ; in other words, they are all a dead letter, as 

 there are no appointed agents intrusted with the care of them, 

 and there are few if any persons willing to take upon themselves 

 the trouble and responsibility of enforcing them, or calling wilful 

 offenders to account for their many misdeeds. Hundreds of trans- 

 gressors consequently escape year after year, unwhipped of justice, 

 until at last they lose sight of the law, if there be any, entirely, 

 and stalk boldly over the country, destroying game in season and 

 out of season, just when it suits their fancy or inclination. Why 

 do the inhabitants of New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and 

 other States, allow those reckless shooters, just let loose from the 

 purlieus of our cities, to overrun their grounds and kill woodcocks 

 two or three weeks before the time allowed even by law ? Is there 

 no one among the respectable and worthy agriculturists of those 

 States possessing sufficient energy or moral courage to make a few 

 examples of these lawless fellows, who sally forth to destroy these 

 noble birds for mere wanton amusement, as the most of them are 

 unsuitable for eating, or any other good purpose, at this early 

 season ? 



Legislation most assuredly sanctions the- "slaughter of cocks" 

 at a sufficiently early day, and every shooter should discounte- 



