CAETING TO MOORGAME. 113 



tell them, I will assume that I am writing only for those 

 whose object is sport, pure and simple. 



A fine frosty October morning usually finds the Grouse 

 scattered about in pairs or in small parties. On taking a 

 cart on to the moors, it will soon be observed that their con- 

 duct is difi"erent to what would have been the case had 

 a human being appeared alone, when they would at once have 

 risen, perhaps a quarter of a mile away, and flown right out 

 of sight. Of the lumbering, creaking cart they evince less 

 suspicion. On approaching a pair (if the "helmsman" 

 manages aright, and does not lead too directly upon the birds, 

 rather circling round as though about to pass by them, while in 

 reality drawing nearer every moment) the Grouse will prob- 

 ably show but little signs of alarm, and the gunner presently 

 find himself almost within shot. The cock Grouse boldly 

 sits erect, or slowly struts a little further away, while his 

 crouching mate is visible a yard or two beyond, creeping low, 

 and far less conspicuous, through the rough grass or heather. 

 If the birds are restless, and do not at once, or at the first 

 attempt, allow an advance to the fatal range, still the use of 

 the cart gives this great advantage, that it does not alarm 

 them in anything like the degree that the appearance of a 

 man alone would have done. The Grouse at first may be 

 suspicious or restless, and several preliminary attempts may 

 result in failure ; but their flights will be short ; they only 

 go, perhaps, a couple of hundred yards, when the cock sud- 

 denly flings himself some 15 or 20 yards almost vertically into 

 the air, poises for an instant, and pitches straight down with a 

 loud " bec-bec-bec " — adding, as soon as he is down, " c'm 

 back ! c'm back ! c'm back ! " Then his partner joins him, 

 and soon by a little patience, and skilful leading, the sports- 

 man succeeds in attaining the deadly distance, when the pair 

 will ofler as fine a double rise as can be desired even in 

 August. 



Where there are more than two birds, the chances are that 

 they will require rather more manoeuvring. The larger their 

 numbers, the greater the probability of there being a restless 

 spirit or two among them, which will shift tliem all. 



But on a favourable day, this is no reason to give up the 



I 



