240 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXXIV. 



birds cannot fly, and are utterly helpless and unable 

 to escape. A vast number of half-fledged birds 

 may be slaughtered in this manner, but they are 

 useless when obtained. For my own part I would 

 quite as soon go out to kill young grouse in June 

 or July before they could fly ; nor do I see that 

 killing " flappers " is at all less murderous or more 

 excusable. In fact no wild ducks ought to be killed 

 till they are strong enough on the wing to fly easily 

 and quickly ; nor are they worth killing for the 

 larder until they have fed for some time in the 

 stubble-fields, for till then their flesh is as muddy 

 and soft as that of a coot or moorhen. 



