THE WOODCOCK. 179 



nance, both by precept and example, the barbarous habit of going 

 after them one hour before the appointed time, as every moment 

 of existence, both to the old and young bird, is of immediate con- 

 sequence. Many old birds are yet sitting on their nests; while 

 hundreds of young ones are running about, too feeble to take care 

 of themselves, and consequently soon perish if deprived of the 

 protection of their parents. Some of our farmers are fond of 

 shooting, and really enjoy the sports of the field in a fair and 

 legitimate way ; and we are astonished that these do not interest 

 themselves so far in this matter as to have the prohibitory time for 

 cock-shooting extended beyond July; for under the present regu- 

 lations they can never hope to enjoy this sport, as they are always 

 too much occupied during this month in housing their crops to 

 think of devoting any portion of their time to cocking, and the 

 birds are pretty much all killed before their leisure hours come 

 round. 



"We do not wish to stir up any unfriendly strife between the 

 farmers and citizens ; there is already too much jealousy existing 

 on kindred subjects between them; but, at the same time, we do 

 not hesitate to declare that we have no objection to see the 

 former assert their just rights, and maintain them in all matters 

 of this kind, provided they are influenced by a proper spirit. 

 There are, however, many headstrong and selfish farmers in our 

 rural districts, who put us very much in mind of the far-famed 

 fable of the Dog in the Manger, as they neither have a desire or 

 fancy to kill the game themselves nor will they permit any one 

 else to do it. No one, we conceive, has a better title to game 

 generally than the farmer, as it is on his ground that the birds are 

 bred and reared, and it is from the rich gleanings of his stubble- 

 fields that they thrive and grow fat. 



We would, therefore, respectfully urge the farmer-sportsman to 

 have the enactment regarding cock-shooting changed; for, as it 

 now reads, it is framed only for the benefit of the city shooters. 

 And, when changed, we would also impress upon him the necessity 

 of seeing it duly enforced. 



