120 GAME BIRDS AND SHOOTING-SKETCHES 



In the Northern Highlands, where the weather is very 

 unsettled in the spring-time, fine warm days in Aj^ril, 

 however much pleasure they may give to us, are l)y no 

 means to be desired so far as the nestino; of Grouse is 

 concerned. The promise of this summer-like weather is 

 too often a dismal fraud ; and many of the unfortunate 

 hens, after leaving their nests to feed, on returning very 

 frequently find them buried beneath the snow. When 

 their first nests have been thus destroyed, Grouse are not 

 nearly so ready to make another and lay again as the 

 other species are ; so that cold and inclement weather 

 in the early summer, provided it is not so severe as to 

 cause a check to the growth of vegetation, is really rather 

 a thing to be desired in the interest of Game prospects. 



Grouse are, like Partridges, the best of parents to their 

 brood, the cocks, as well as the hens, taking the utmost 

 care of the family, and protecting them to the best of their 

 ability from the various dangers to which they may be at 

 times exposed from the attacks of vermin. The cock is 

 generally close at hand, and, on a warning note from his 

 better half, is soon on the spot ready to give l^attle to the 

 furred or feathered foe that for the moment is threatenino' 

 the young brood. He is at this season an exceedingly 

 plucky bird, and will, in the defence of his family, blindly 

 attack almost any creature (except man) which may 

 approach too near or interfere with them. The birds of 

 prey, and animals which at other seasons they would flee 



was liigh time tliey should l)e retrieved. Tlie lien was the lirst to observe 

 her, and when she liad approached to within ten yards at once gave the 

 alarm. It was wonderful to see the alacrity with which the cocks olieyed 

 the signal, and, desjiite their wounds and bewildered senses, pulled themselves 

 together and immediately flew oft' almost simultaneously. 



