170 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



nature of grouse shooting. Nothing can be done 

 without active and well broken dogs, experienced 

 markers, and downright hard fagging. 



Perhaps you commence operations by beating a 

 large barley or oat-stubble a sure find during the 

 early morning having previously placed a couple 

 of markers on the hills on either side, so as to 

 command a view over the main valley and the 

 lesser combes. The partridges seldom lie well 

 in the stubbles, but springing before the dogs can 

 obtain a point, fly over the nearest brow, and drop 

 either in a promising clover field, or perhaps in a 

 " shaw"* higher up the hill. Two guns enjoy this 

 sport to perfection. Separating at one end of the 

 plantation, taking up the pointers, and putting 

 a couple of steady old spaniels into the cover, the 

 birds are frequently flushed one by one, and, as 

 they spring screaming from the brushwood, fly 

 rapidly forward, or dash hurriedly over the heads 

 of either of the shooters. 



* Shaw, (Scua, Saxon); a narrow strip of wood or copse, 

 suffered to remain as a fence, or division between two fields. 

 On the richer soils, where the modern system of farming 

 prevails, these primitive but beautiful fences are, I am 

 sorry to say, being grubbed up every day, while in the 

 greater portion of the weald they still exist, affording 

 at once a harbour for game and the best shelter for cattle 

 during stormy weather. 



