with "eyes prepared to take the horizon in," 

 and squatted, altogether not very much unlike 

 a large toad, in act to spring, and be on flight 

 in an instant. You never see a cock, as you will 

 a partridge, entangled in his rise, or blundering 

 among the bushes in his hurry to escape. 



As to the stalkinghorse itself, I must observe, 

 it is by no means a necessary appendage: I 

 have repeatedly seen cocks as effectually stalked 

 without it. The business is to catch the notice 

 of the bird as far off as you conveniently can, and 

 to alarm his attention on every side, while you 

 conceal your indirect approach by the celerity 

 of your motions around him. " Keep moving !" 

 that is the magic, and there lies the whole secret: 

 if you stop, the charm is broken : pause not too 

 long, as you dart the passing glance of your 

 eye through the openings, in your endeavour to 

 find him : however slowly, keep moving ! He 

 will not bear from you, as he will from your 

 four-legged companion, a dead point. When 

 found, retire from view a little ; or, if convenient, 

 relieve him by a show of retreat, preparing with 

 gentleness the fatal level; in which be uot 

 unnecessarily tedious. Again remember, while 

 you move you have him safe ; but if your stop 

 be of many moments, he is up, and off. 



