218 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



well concealed, being invariably placed within gun- 

 shot of a ridge in front, when on a hill-side ; and if 

 on a flat, then the outside turf should be carefully 

 placed at the front of the butt." 



The birds may be driven backward and forward 

 over a ravine, and the sportsmen, posted in the 

 hollow below, get them both ways. 



And this practice from behind a turf erection, 

 where the birds come to you over a ridge, and 

 within gunshot, before they are aware of your 

 presence, is that which threatens to supersede the 

 olden method. For this ugly change various 

 defences are offered, the strangest of which may 

 be termed the commercial one. 



Grouse, it is said, have become a quite appreciable 

 element in the country's food-supply; and it is 

 desirable that the largest number should be hurried 

 into the market when the prices are highest. But 

 they can never be so important in this respect as 

 salmon ; and gentlemen do not kill salmon to supply 

 the demand ; they leave that to the tacksmen. 



Or, the modern methods, by more effectually 

 thinning out the grouse, tend to prevent the 

 appearance, and spread of disease. And yet, the 

 natural enemies of the grouse, whose presence 

 would bring about the same result in an equally 



