MOORGAME IN MID-AUTUMN 



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the ground is wet, grouse seek the barest spots, and the 

 old cocks walk about with tails carried as high as their 

 heads- — so careful are they to keep dry. During rain, 

 they will be huddled up into round balls of feathers, 

 perched on rocks, stone-dykes, or any slight elevation 

 where they can sit dry. On such days, they are silent ; 



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Hi)>> <" C? 



Challenge. 



whereas, on fine frosty mornings, the moor rings with 

 calls of infinite intonation ; and cheery sounds these 

 are to the gunner as he reaches the fell by day-dawn, 

 while the cart-wheels crunch and grind over the frozen 

 ground. 



Next to grouse, our most important game-birds on the 

 Borders are the blackcocks. One sees them daily, in packs. 



