WILD- BRED AND HAND^REAKED 179 



ground or isolated copses and coverts.' There is no 

 fear whatever, on account of the wary instincts and 

 marvellous running powers of the bird, of your killing 

 all that are on the ground. Even if you did, and at 

 the end of the season you have left hens exclusively, 

 cocks will travel to them from great distances ; while, 

 if you leave too many cocks, they will, with their 

 polygamous instincts and roving disposition, leave 

 your ground in search of some place where they may 

 be more in demand among the ladies ; and if they 

 stay with you, the older and stronger birds will fight 

 off the younger, which would be the most prolific 

 stock-getters. 



It is very easy to say kill the cocks on wild and 

 rough ground, but not so gasy to do it. I can only 

 assure you that if you will leave out all considerations 

 of quantity or weight of bag, you can enjoy many 

 most delightful days of true sport after the thickest 

 of the leaf is off, pitting your own intelligence and 

 that of your dogs against the wild nature and evasive 

 tricks of the cock pheasant. 



To do this you must, of necessity, be keen and 

 active; your companion or assistants must be as 



' This, of course, would not apply to a turnip field close to 

 your home woods, where while beating for partridges you might 

 kill enough to seriously damage your covert shooting. 



N 2 



