PREFACE. 



THOSE who delight in roaming about amongst the 

 fields and lanes, or have spent any time in a country 

 house, can hardly have failed to notice the custodian 

 of the woods and covers, or to observe that he is 

 often something of a ' character.' The Gamekeeper 

 forms, indeed, so prominent a figure in rural life as 

 almost to demand some biographical record of his 

 work and ways. From the man to the territories 

 over which he bears sway the meadows, woods, 

 and streams and to his subjects, their furred 

 and feathered inhabitants, is a natural transition. 

 The enemies against whom he wages incessant war- 

 fare vermin, poachers, and trespassers must, of 

 course, be included in such a survey. 



Although, for ease and convenience of illustra- 

 tion, the character of a particular Keeper has been 



20910O3 



