148 FOREST CEEATUEES. 



abundant as to become dangerous enemies, is neither 

 atrocious nor unsportsman-like. You must employ 

 different tactics with your game in the dense jungly 

 forest, and in the pleasant vistaed beech-wood ; and if 

 you are desirous of bringing down the male animal 

 only, your " season " must be modified by that animal's 

 peculiar habits. Accommodating yourself to his move- 

 ments, therefore, your campaign begins when he is sure 

 to be wandering exposed on the mountain-top, or in 

 the shady lowlands where brooks are near ; or perched, 

 like a weather-cock, on some tall fir just as dawn is 

 creeping up the eastern sky ; or dancing his mad love- 

 dance, as though bewildered, on the sparkling fields of 

 snow ; or, in short, doing this or that, here or there, as 

 the instinct of whatever animal it be may prompt. 



Thus on the European continent many animals are 

 lawfully pursued, when in England it would be illegal 

 and held to be unsportsman-like to hunt at all. Then, 

 too, the modes of warring against the different fowl, 

 for example, that inhabit the forests or the mountains, 

 are as distinct from each other as the game itself is 

 distinct in species. Every one of them has a peculiar 

 charm, its exciting moments, and characteristic attendant 

 circumstances. Thus the pursuit of the capercaile is 

 totally unlike black cock shooting. Each has passionate 

 followers, and each, by its particular votaries, is pro- 

 nounced the supremest of joys. 



