THE BLACK COCK. 159 



his morning's work. And how did he manage it ? 

 With the exception of one bird, all came close to where 

 he was, and they made his task an easy one. To- 

 morrow they might fall more in the other direction, 

 and then that would equalise our sport. 



It is always a chance whether the birds come in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of your retreat, or close 

 enough for a shot. But what does not happen one 

 morning, may the next. And this watching and ex- 

 pectancy have their charm. Nor while you are waiting 

 and hoping are you without amusement. The time 

 does not seem long while observing their habits and 

 drollery. 



On the snow such dancing and trampling leave suf- 

 ficient marks ; and the spot where the birds have met, 

 is like the ring of a circus after an equestrian per- 

 formance. 



As it will of course be understood, it is the cocks 

 only which are shot. And of these but a certain 

 number : care always being taken to leave some of the 

 old ones behind, to lead the young generation in the 

 following season to the accustomed trysting-place. And 

 next year, in March, they are there on the very same 

 spot as before. 



Though this is a most faithfully exact account of a 

 morning's sport at a certain locality in Bohemia, yet it 



