January is to the shepherd what June is to the gamekeeper. There is
more than common meaning to the shepherd in the greeting, "A happy and
a prosperous New Year." Be luck good or bad, the bleat of the lamb
is the sweetest sound of the year to shepherd ears: it means as much
as the pee-peep of the pheasant chick to the gamekeeper. Keepers and
shepherds are deeply attached to their respective "coops"--a word used
by the shepherd for the enclosures, one hurdle square, made for the
lambs. The experience of coop life is briefer for the lamb than for the
young pheasant. After enjoying a few hours of privacy, the ewe and her
lambs are turned into the large general nursery, to fend for themselves
among the baa-ing crowd.
* * * * *