SOME RECOLLECTIONS OF THE TWELFTH 161 



show that any strategic operations based on the assump- 

 tion that grouse will be on the feed in the early morning - , 

 are undertaken erroneously, but chiefly to show the 

 advisability of holding in reserve till evening a full propor- 

 tion of "going power," both human and canine. Then, 

 in the closing hours of the day, this reserve can be 

 brought into action most effectively. The birds, when 

 scattered on the feed, are easier to find, lie closer, and 

 are more apt to rise separately ; thus each covey may 

 perhaps yield several brace, and between 5 and 7 p.m. 

 a modest bag may be converted into a heavy one by the 

 sportsman who knows how to bide his time. It is right 

 to add that in the Badminton Library (" Shooting : Moor 

 and Marsh," p. 3), exception is taken to the above remarks. 

 The author, Lord Walsingham, one of the first authori- 

 ties of the day, questions rather than disputes their 

 accuracy, holding that the evidence adduced does not 

 amount to proof. Possibly to that extent his contention 

 is correct, but I leave the statement as it stood, being, 

 by long and close observation, satisfied of its accuracy as 

 regards Northumberland — with this addition. A game- 

 keeper of wide experience on the Borders, and one on 

 whose statement I place reliance, assures me that grouse, 

 in summer and up to August, do feed at dawn ; but so 

 extremely early that one must be on the moor at 3.30 

 a.m. to find them with crops filled. I leave it to others 

 to put this assertion to matutinal proof. Later in the 

 year, when days have shortened, it is certainly not the 

 case. 



To older grouse-shooters, these few random notes 

 will no doubt appear trite enough ; but nowadays, 

 all have not that old-time experience, and it is a pre- 

 valent mistake to regard dogs (if used at all) as 



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