VIEW FROM THE DOWNS. 171 



nature of grouse shooting. Nothing can be done 

 without active and well broken dogs, experienced 

 markers, and downright hard fagging. 



Perhaps you commence operations by beating a 

 large barley or oat-stubble — a sure find during the 

 early morning — having previously placed a couple 

 of markers on the hills on either side, so as to 

 command a view over the main valley and the 

 lesser combes. The partridges seldom lie well 

 in the stubbles, but springing before the dogs can 

 obtain a point, fly over the nearest brow, and 

 drop either in a promising clover field, or perhaps 

 in a "shaw''* higher up the hill Two guns 

 enjoy this sport to perfection. Separating at one 

 end of the plantation, taking up the pointers, and 

 putting a couple of steady old spaniels into the 

 cover, the birds are frequently flushed one by one, 

 and, as they spring screaming from the brush- 

 wood, fly rapidly forward, or dash hurriedly over 

 the heads of either of the shooters. 



* Slmw {Scua, Saxon) ; a narrow strip of wood or 

 copse, suffered to remain as a fence, or division between 

 two fields. On the richer soils, where the modern 

 system of farming prevails, these primitive but beauti- 

 ful fences are, I am sorry to say, being grubbed up 

 every day, while in the greater portion of the weald 

 they still exist, affording at once a harbour for game, 

 and the best shelter for cattle during stormy weather. 



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