AMONG THE HILLS. 59 



coming discernible. "The master cock will come 

 first," whispered Toby. He'll be the best bird o' the 

 lot ; keep your eyes open." 



As the sun showed through the fir trunks down 

 sailed the bird to his platform, where, after a little 

 crooning and bubbling, he began to puff himself out, 

 pouter fashion. 



" Now is the time," a thud, and the grand bird falls 

 over dead. " No harm done," says Toby, as he picks 

 him up. " Look here ! " As he holds the bolt up for 

 my inspection I see that it is muffled. Many a hare 

 and rabbit had that weapon quietened. 



" Nothing but rank poaching ! " some of our readers 

 will say ; " and a most unsportsmanlike proceeding." 

 I beg to state, however, that this occurred in a no- 

 man's locality, where all had right of common and 

 pasturage for stock. 



In bygone times — before the ground-game law was 

 passed — small hillside farmers have been obliged to 

 leave their holdings, for the rabbits ^swarmed down 

 from the waste to the cultivated parts and simply 

 devoured the crops. Unless wild creatures are kept 

 in check by their natural enemies, or by man himself, 

 they will work sad mischief to all that he rears or 



