UPLAND SHOOTING. 
217 
as might have been expected, it has been demonstrated by- 
good sportsmen, that Cock can be killed over Setters—Spaniels 
would doubtless be yet preferable—in those states as else¬ 
where, and the correct, legitimate and sportsmanlike method of 
hunting them with dogs is, of consequence, coming into vogue 
soon, I doubt not, entirely to supersede the “ Fire-hunting’ 
system, which although it may be good fun enough, for once or 
twice, can only be regarded as a species of poaching, or pot¬ 
hunting ; palliated or perhaps in some sort legitimatized by 
the necessities of the case. 
Throughout this region, as I have said, during the day this 
more than half nocturnal bird is not to be seen at all without the 
confines of the dense and tangled brakes on the edges of the 
deep bayous and morasses, never flying abroad into the open, 
and contenting itself with nibbling the mud, and picking up a 
little chance food in its lurking places. 
No sooner is it dark, however, than out the Woodcocks come 
by thousands from their fastnesses, and, pitching down on all 
sides in the old fields and maize-stubbles, apply themselves to 
nibbling and boring in the soft, rich loam for their succulent 
worm-diet. 
Hereupon the fire-hunt commences—with gun and game-bag, 
powder-flask and shot-pouch, and all appliances and means 
secundum artem , the sportsman sallies forth; but no silky-haired, 
high-strung, sagacious Setter, no satin-skinned, rat-tailed, obe¬ 
dient Pointer follows his master’s heel. In lieu of Don or 
Sancho, an old, crafty, grizzle-pated, merry negro, comes forth, 
equipped with the brazen vessel of a warming-pan, or the like 
instrument, set erect on a pole of some ten or twelve feet in 
length, filled with light wood, pine knots, or such like bright, 
burning combustibles. 
Arrived on the feeding ground, a light is applied; the quick 
fuel sends out a broad, ruddy glare ; and, as the bearer slowly 
circumambulates the field, a circle of intense lustre is shed for 
ten yards around him. rendering every object more clearly 
visible than at noon-day. The shooter walks close to the fire- 
