WILD-SHOOTING IN WINTER. 79 



pass under the pities, walking over layer upon 

 layer of pine-needles. A Long-Eared Owl floats 

 from out the gloom ; but the winged mouser 

 is allowed peacefully to skirt the plantation. 



Almost all life and vegetation are blotted 

 out here, and the aisles are silent. The hoarse 

 croak of a Carrion Crow comes from the rocks 

 by the bay, and then, disturbed, passes high 

 overhead. The pine-wood passed, we emerge 

 to light and sunshine. A Woodcock, with 

 its peculiar owl-like flight, rises from a bracken 

 bed, and contributes its long bill to the bag. 

 A Sparrow-hawk sails silently over the trees, 

 but its sharp eye detects us, it wheels, and 

 is soon out of sight. Another flock of wood- 

 pigeons is more successfully stalked than 

 the last, and a pair added. Along the edge 

 of the wood, and among the still remaining 

 stubble, some pheasants are feeding ; and as 

 these get up another brace is added. 



Then comes an hour's stalk. A covey of 

 Partridges is put away time after time, but 

 always far out of range. Marking the birds, 

 we follow on ; and just as we persist so the 

 birds become wilder. Soon, however, the 

 ground favours us ; the covey drops over a 



