Of the various muzzle-loaders in use, I believe there is none better for sporting purposes than Purdey's two-grooved, with the winged ball. Here there is no unnecessary friction and no windage, and consequently a very low trajectory and a strong penetration. Mr. Boucher's I believe also to be a good plan, but I have never seen it tried, so that I cannot speak so confidently of its merits. Lancaster's oval bore no doubt performs well occasionally, but from the tendency to strip, a shot is never to be depended on. Of the Enfield I think it may be said that it is a very useful one for common purposes, but that it is not capable of the high degree of perfection to which the others may be carried-that is to say, if used with the Pritchett ball on the expansion principle. Among the breech-loaders, I think none comes up to Prince's, which is the only rifle that will stand a comparison with the best muzzle-loaders. Leetch's no doubt shoots very well, but the escape is always an objection. For a double breech-loading rifle I have seen nothing as yet superior to the Lefaucheaux, and I think if carefully constructed, very good shooting may be got out of it.

BOOK VI.

THE GAME PRESERVER'S GUIDE.

CHAPTER I.

DUTIES OF THE GAMEKEEPER.

ONEROUS NATURE OF THE TASK HONESTY KNOWLEDGE OF LAW NECESSARY-NUMBERS REQUIRED THE KEEPER'S GUN-SELECTION OF PRESERVE OR SHOOTING-CONTRACTS FOR TAKING MOORS OR MANORSCERTIFICATE.

ONEROUS NATURE OF THE TASK.

There are few offices which require more highly-developed bodily and mental qualities than that of the man appointed to the task which we are now considering. He must be of strong body, yet cautious in the use of his strength. Quick in intellect, so as to be able to counteract the plans of the poacher, he should be also steady in carrying out his own. With a fondness for out-of-door sports he should combine some considerable love of reading, so as to make himself master of what is going on in relation to his own special department in other parts of the world besides his He must be a boon companion without being a sot, the former quality being desirable, in order to conciliate the good opinions of his neighbours, while the latter is fatal to his success in many points of view. Of course it is scarcely to be expected that any individual shall possess all these ⚫ qualities combined in the highest state of perfection, but the nearer he reaches to this, the more fitted he will be for his office; and the absence of any one will often lead to his defeat or disgrace.

own.

When it is remembered that the gamekeeper has to rear his game, which requires great tact and care; to trap vermin, which is a still more difficult task; to preserve his charge from poachers under laws the operation of which is most jealously watched; to break dogs of all kinds; to shoot infallibly well when required, and occasionally to take care not to shoot better than his master or his master's friends; it will readily be understood by those who know anything of these subjects, that I have not over-estimated the extent of the good qualities which are required.

HONESTY.

In the above list I have said nothing of the summum bonum-the apex of the pyramid. A keeper may be all that I have described: he may rear, and trap, and preserve to perfection, but then all this may be done for his own benefit, and not for that of his master. I have often known a good head of game early in the autumn dwindle down to a very moderate show when put to the test in September and October, clearly proving one of two things-either that the keeper had allowed the poachers to rob him, or that he had himself been guilty of fraud upon his master, by selling the game which he is paid to preserve. In most cases I believe that the fault lies in his neglect of duty, or that he has been outwitted, but sometimes there can be no doubt that the keeper has either directly or indirectly sold his game. The temptation when the master is non-resident on the property is very considerable, for unfortunately the keeper has still less difficulty in disposing of game than the poacher. No doubt he places himself in the power of his subordinates, but some risk must be run in all cases of fraud committed in other walks of life, and yet we know that they are of daily Occurrence. Still it is highly creditable to the whole class of keepers that they are generally above suspicion in this particular, and what few instances have come to my knowledge have most of them been caused by some mismanagement or meanness on the part of the master.

KNOWLEDGE OF LAW NECESSARY.

It constantly happens that the keeper is obliged to consider whether he shall be within the law in any action which he is about to commit. Poachers are constantly trying new dodges, and to meet these, new plans of operation are necessary, which may or may not be legal; and either the keeper or his master, or his master's lawyer, must settle this knotty point. Generally speaking, there is little time for consultation, and the keeper must make up his mind on the spot. Hence it is a great point in his favour if he is able to understand an Act of Parliament, and unless he does, he will be constantly obliged to consult his superiors.

NUMBERS REQUIRED.

When an efficient head-keeper has been appointed, it is desirable to know how many men he will require to assist him. At certain seasons of the year a few extra watchers will always be required; but what I am now alluding to is the number of regular under-keepers required. Much will, of course, depend upon the nature of his duties, for it is well known that in some districts game requires far more careful supervision than in others. The neighbourhood of large towns, and especially if footpaths pass through the manor, is exceedingly prejudicial to secure and easy preserving; and if a keeper has one so situated to look after he will require double or treble the average staff. For these reasons it is impossible to define the number of assistants required, and every master must in some measure be in the hands of his servant.

THE KEEPER'S GUN.

It is a much-disputed question whether the keeper should be allowed a gun at all, and there is also another, bearing upon the propriety of his being allowed to carry it at night. With regard to the diurnal use of a gun, I cannot but think that the keeper should never be without it. Those who have been much in the country must have observed that every now and then a chance of being near some coveted

object of natural history is obtained which rarely occurs a second time, and in the same way a keeper has the opportunity to shoot some kind of vermin when he has not got a gun, which all his trapping will fail to obtain for him in that way. He may, and often does, carry it for weeks without using it, but then comes the chance, and he will add to his list of vermin by its aid to a greater extent in one week than his traps have done in a month. Continual shooting will, no doubt, frighten game, and in that way do harm, but an occasional shot once a week or so has never produced that effect, and it is rarely the case that a keeper would be called upon to use his gun twice in the same locality within a week. We all know that vermin may be trapped; but when the gun comes in aid of that means it is so much gained. A bad trapper I would never employ, nor should I like a keeper who depended upon his gun rather than on his traps; but that some men have done this is no reason why others should not be allowed to use both. A stout useful keeper's gun may be bought new for from 10%. to 15l. (See p. 253.)

SELECTION OF PRESERVE OR SHOOTING.

If the keeper is appointed before the ground, which he is to look over, is chosen, it is always well, if possible, to consult him about it. There are many little things which are likely to strike the eye of the professional in any department, which by the amateur are passed over, and besides this it is well known that we all undertake a task more willingly about which our opinion has been asked and taken. So much depends upon a hearty co-operation in the master's views by the keeper, that a little concession of dignity may fairly be made by the former to him, and I have so often known the opposite plan lead to a bad result that I would strongly advise its being avoided.

In choosing a manor in the south for the purpose of preserving pheasants, partridges, hares, &c., the master is inexcusable if he is taken in with regard to the head of game remaining, because he can so readily ascertain what is left. The spring is the usual time for letting manors, and at that period of the year it is extremely easy to show what