MOORGAME IN MID-AUTUMN 243 



steamer, their suspicions are less aroused, for they seem 

 to regard it as a harmless implement of everyday farm 

 service ; and so long as a course is held not too directly 

 upon the birds, but rather circling round, as though 

 about to pass them by, while in reality drawing nearer 

 every moment, they will pay it but little attention or 

 display much sign of alarm. The cock grouse sits bold 

 and erect, or proudly struts a yard or two further 

 away, while his crouching mate is just visible beyond, 

 creeping low and inconspicuous through the rough grass 

 or heather. 



One thus enjoys delightful views of wild game at 

 comparatively close quarters ; but it does not follow 

 that grouse will permit of an advance to fatal range. 

 Frequently they are restless and suspicious, and many 

 attempts may result in failure. But the use of a cart gives 

 the gunner this advantage, that it does not alarm the 

 grouse in the degree that the appearance of a man alone 

 would have done. They may be too wary to permit 

 approach ; yet they will not go far. Ere they have 

 covered a couple of hundred yards, the cock grouse will 

 Ming himself up in air, in his splendidly defiant way, poise 

 for an instant, and then, loudly "becc-ing," drop vertically 

 into the heather below — adding as soon as he has reached 

 the ground, "cm back, c'm back, c'm back!" By that 

 latter note, one knows, though out of sight, that he 

 is down. Then his partner joins him, and another 

 manoeuvre begins. 



When, after a successful approach on the open moor, 

 the grouse rise within shot, and one or more fall to the 

 gun, one might suppose that then, at length, they would 

 realise the danger. But that is not so. So long as the 

 gunner remains close alongside the cart, the charm con- 



