260 
SHOOTING PARTY. 
cuttle or so, whelks in abundance, a few queer crabs, 
but — as 3^et no pheasants. Anon we wandered by 
the weed-grown margin of a shallow stream, which 
sparkled, eddied, and went on its way rejoicing, 
forming in its course numerous little waterfalls. 
By its side ran, and flirted up and down, the tricksy 
water-ouzel, often makiug a dash into the small 
shallow rapids. Here also were the mild slender 
wagtails, yellow, pied, and gray. Ver^ impudent 
rooks were perched on every tree, and the nois}^ jays 
were flirting violently among the branches of the 
oaks. But — we saw no pheasants. We followed 
the upward course of the mountain-stream, and were 
gradually shut in by the sides of a Yeij charming 
valley. Bright yellow Persimons hung, like the 
golden fruit of the Hesperides, on leafless trees ; 
dark spreading yews harboured within their cool 
shade snug little cottages, and on every side, to the 
eye’s delight, were tapering soft elegant Cr^q^to- 
merias, mingled with broad-leaved sycamores, and 
the magnificent foliage of oaks and chestnuts. 
Desirous of procuring a few acorns we stooped to 
