MODERN FARRIER. 551 



a very simple nest, formed on the ground. The 

 young leave the nest about as soon as hatched, and 

 continue to follow the hen till the severity of the 

 winter sets in, when they unite in packs of twenty 

 or thirty brace. The hen is very careful of her 

 brood ; if a dog appear, she will throw herself on 

 the ground directly before his nose, screaming 

 dreadfully, and manifesting an apparent incapacity 

 of flying. The dog eagerly pursues, expecting 

 every moment to catch her; but when she has 

 drawn him a sufficient distance from her young, she 

 suddenly extends lier wings, and leaves her asto- 

 nished pursuer to follow her with his eyes. 



In grouse-shooting, be careful to give the dogs 

 the wind, and diligently try the sides of the moun- 

 tains which are most sheltered. If it blow hard, 

 these birds will be found where the heath is longest ; 

 in this case grouse generally take long flights, and 

 for the most part down the wind (i. e. not against 

 the wind), what is the very reverse of what most 

 other fowls are known to do. To the disagreeable 

 circumstances attending a high wind, may be added 

 the difficulty of keeping the fowling-piece steady, 

 and tlie probability of a flash of the pan blowing 

 into the sportsman's face. 



On finding a pack of grouse, the old cock is gene- 

 rally the first that makes his appearance, and the 

 first to take wing. If not much disturbed, he will 

 run before the dogs, make a chuckling noise, and 

 frequently get up and challenge without any ap- 

 pearance of apprehension ; but by this he warns the 

 hens and poults, who immediately run and separate. 

 The hen generally runs as far as she can from her 

 pursuers, in order to draw their attention from the 

 poults ; and if the poults be strong enough to shift 

 for themselves, she will sometimes insure her own 

 safety, and leave them entirely. In this case, good 

 diversion may be expected ; the first object should 

 be to kill the old cock, which will very probably 



