THE KEEPER'S LARDER 5 



arranged by himself, so that from his butt he can 

 shoot comfortably at any bird within range. As 

 birds are shot he sets them up as decoys. A stick 

 about nine inches long is put in the ground, and one 

 pointed end inserted in the pigeon's throat, the bird 

 being set up in a life-like way. Knowing that they 

 are thirsty birds, especially when feeding on the ripe, 

 hard grain, he builds a hut near the pond where the 

 pigeons drink, and if he cannot see them on the ground 

 or in the trees, creeps out to stalk them, and the shots 

 they give as they rise, diving and turning in all 

 directions, are such that no one need despise. 



f - j'r-1- .*, 



Wood-pigeons are among the gamekeeper's per- 

 quisites. Apart from a very occasional request 



from "the house" for the wherewithal 

 The for pigeon-pie, the pigeons shot are for the 



Larder benefit of the keeper and his family, and 



when he shoots more than he requires there 

 are always labourers and others glad of a pigeon or two 

 " to make a pudden." Rabbits, also, are perquisites, 

 but to be sold no more than pigeons. The popular 

 idea is that keepers may help themselves to any 

 game they please true, they could if so minded. 

 But no matter what a keeper's ethics in other direc- 

 tions, as a rule he deals honourably with the game 

 in his charge. The keeper has no more right to take 

 a brace of birds or a hare without permission than 

 has an ironmonger's assistant to take a coal-scuttle. 



