LTEURUS TETRIX. 
“ But in order to be exact, tire following details are given of an excursion to Bohemia for the purpose of shooting Black Cock, as 
well as the experience then gained of this animahs peculiarities : 
“As we had far to go, we left our inn betimes, and, the forester preceding us with a lantern, on we went behind each other through 
the coppice and the low grounds, where formerly there was a lake, but which lately had been drained. At this season the fields and 
moor land were all under water, and for an hour and a half we wmnt splashing through the inundated plain. At night and in the fog 
it was difficult not to miss the usual landmarks, and to avoid the trenches cut to carry off the floods. After groping about at the spot 
where the huts made of fir boughs wmi’e erected, we saw them at last looming through the vapor, and each of us took his station in 
that assigned him. At this place, be it observed, the ground was not under water, though shaky and very marshy. To be out at early 
morning and to listen to the gradual awakening of animal life around, and to hear how the very earth seems to be shaking off its deep 
slumber, and at last to see forms appearing in masses, and, gradually taking well-known shapes, emerge from the gloom — this is one of 
the most interesting incidents among the very many which form the sum of a hunter’s life. 
“ For a short time after arriving in the hut all was still as death. First was heard the low, sad cry of the goat-sucker — earliest of 
birds — as he flew through the darkness over the marsh ; and presently, from the skirts of the wood, came the bleat of the roe that had 
been startled by a sound, or not improbably had caught the taint of our presence as a breath of air began to stir the leafless brambles 
on the dry spots around. The cry of a scared animal thus heard amid the profound stillness is very startling. It makes the same 
impression as of a man talking in his sleep. Presently the faint chirping of the water lark was audible ; of the coot, and other dwell- 
ers in the morass. But now came a cheery sound, foretelling that the snn was about to appear, and that he — that rejoicing singer — was 
going forth to meet and watch him come. Straight over head rose a lark, pouring forth his gladdening song ] and, accustomed as we 
are to hear the bird when we can look up and follow him on his heavenward flight, it did seem strange to listen to his warbling now, 
while no light as yet was in the air. Then from a distant village came the lugubrious ' Toot ! toot ! ’ of the watchman’s horn, and a 
clock announced it Avas past three. Again the sharp bleat of a roe, but this time from a meadow in the direction of the hamlet. 
There is now on all sides an awakening ; there is a hum in the water, and in the air, and in the woods, at first low and indistinct and 
tremulous, but gradually growing in volume, and becoming stable and definite. Xow a snipe calls, and noAV a covey of partridges in 
fluttering flight whir by. There is a sound of waters everywhere oozing, yet rather felt than heard, it is so low and stealthy — not 
separate, but mixing Avith, and part of, the murmur of nature around. The blackness is changed into a confused gray ; but hark ! there 
is a fluttering and a rush of wings, Avhich tells most surely that a cock has come to the trysting place. And noAV another rushing of 
pinions, and the same Ioav 'Cluck! cluck!’ as before. Yon look through the branches of your hut in the direction AAdieuce the sound 
proceeds, and peer into the gloaming. But it is not yet possible to distinguish anything. However, you hear the rush and the flutter 
of neAV comers; you hear, too, the half-cooing, half-clucking tones they utter, rising and falling by turns, as they giAm expression to 
their passionate longing. Then follows a sudden and rapid beating of wings, and (piick and sharp angry, duckings ; for the joust has 
already begun, and they are fighting Avrathfully. How you long to see Avhat is going on, and to behold the manoBuvres which you well 
know that fluttering betokens! And noAV they are clucking quite near, and there is a violent beating of Aviugs as they bound upward 
in their strife a few feet from the ground. If the haze would but disperse that you might get a shot! When suddenly from one of 
the huts, AAdrere your comrade is stationed, comes the report of a gun, which tells you that yonder is less mist than here, or that the 
birds being nearer enabled him to fire. But now you too are able to see something,' and about one hundred and fifty yards off there is 
a black cock in the grass. To the light is another, and noAV from behind a hillock a tliird emerges. What can they be about ? With 
outstretched neck they move creepingly onward, Avith a sort of Avould-be gravity, and then stand still in the same position as before, 
looking as ridiculous as possible. But presently they begin dancing up in the air, and turning round like a turkey cock, the tail feathers 
erect and outspread. Up they jump again a foot or tAvo, chicking and gobbling the while ; and then they will suddenly resume their 
old posture, and, poking out their neck to its fullest stretch, move miucingly forward, and with affected gait. But they approach each 
other noAV, and a fight ensues, and the Aveaker is driven aAvay. They are still pretty far, but a rifle bullet may hit one still. Tour 
sights are fine — necessarily fine — and it is not day yet ; hoAvever,. you try, and the sharp crack of the explosion rings through the neigh- 
boring wood. By JoA^e ! there is the very fellow at Avhich you aimed exactly Avhere he was ; he is looking up, it is true, somewhat 
surprised, but a moment more and he is at his old tricks again, creeping along as sillily as before. It reminds you of the 'medicine 
man’ in Gatlin’s 'Indians,’ who is playing just such antics, as our black cock here, Avhom AAm haA^e come a day’s journey to see. He 
calls in a somcAvhat coaxing tone, and the three notes of which his invitation consists are indicative of impatience and longing. Another 
shot from your comrade’s gun, but it does not disturb them. They go on dancing in a ring as before. It is a laughable sight. And 
noAV turning on the opposite side of your hut, you look Avhat is to be seen there, and behold ! another ' medicine man ’ is having his 
dance. Does the distance, as vieAved through your peep-hole, deceive you, and is he not within range of your gun ? It was too far, for 
the bird runs a dozen yards as if a shot or tAvo had touched him, and then stalks and jumps and pirouettes as before. And yonder are 
three, four, five, six more, but far off and beyond reach of mine or my comrade’s gun. Xoav they come hopping along like boj^s jump- 
ing in sacks ; and they may at last bo within range ; but now they stop and go off in another direction, with their necks made as long 
as possible, poking close to the ground. One flies to the loAver branches of a young birch, and chuckles iuAvardly at the recollection of 
his wooing. Presently he takes wing, and you watch him making for the forest ; but you tell yourself he will be there again to-mor- 
roAV, and there is satisfaction in that certainty. One after the other flies away, for it is day noAAq and you are glad to emerge from your 
shelter and move your benumbed limbs; and though there is a two-hours’ Avalk before getting home, and half of it Avading through 
Avater, still there is a Avarm breakfast in perspective, and that is at all times cheering. 
“From the other hut comes my comrade; and what has he shot? There lie six fine cocks as the result of his morning’s work. And 
how did he manage it ? With the exception of one bird, all came close to where he w'as, and they made his task an easy one. To-mor- 
row they might fall more in the other direction, and then that Avould equalize our sport. 
“It is always a chance whether the birds come in the immediate neighboi’hood of your retreat, or close enough for a shot. But 
AAdiat does' not happen one morning may the next. And this Avatching and expectancy have their charm. Nor while you are waiting 
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