THE WOODCOCK. 167 



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

 early season ? 



Legislation sanctions the "slaughter of Cocks" at a sufficiently 

 early day, gracious knows, and every Shooter should discoun- 

 tenance, 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 consequence. 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, 

 as under the present regulations 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 exist- 

 ing on kindred subjects between them ; but at the same time 

 "we do not hesitate to declare that we have no objections 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 farm- 

 ers in our rural districts, who put us very much in mind of the 

 far-famed fable of the Dog, the Ox, and the Manger, as they 

 neither have a desire or fancy to kill the game themselves, nor 

 "would 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 this enactment regarding Cock-shooting changed ; for, 

 as it now reads, it is formed only for the benefit of the city 



