MORE ABOUT GAME-BIRDS. 85 



CHAPTER VII. 



MORE ABOUT GAME-BIRDS. 



That very beautiful bird the blackcock has for 

 various causes become scarce in some of the 

 southern counties. In some parts of them, where 

 he was at one time fairly well known and fre- 

 quently to be seen, he has gone, it is to be feared, 

 for good and all. One of my trusted companions, 

 long since gone, home, used to sing, when he left 

 me at the gate of a moorland cottage after a hard 

 day's tramp — 



' Oh, I'll be up in the marnin' airly, 

 I'll be up to give ye a call." 



For it was a sight to see the black-game play up 

 in the silent misty dawning. One may rise just 

 as early now as in those days, but never any more 



