THE BLACK GROUSE AND THE PARTRIDGE. 149 



poultry pay, never let a domestic hen live over 

 sixteen months. They lay less eggs every year 

 after the first, and get tougher and of less value 

 for the table. We find it answer well to kill 

 all oiu: turkey hens the second year. The 

 quantity of grouse and partridge has notably 

 increased on many moors and manors since 

 driving was introduced, entirely owing to the 

 old birds being so generally shot. 



It is well known that if a moor or manor is 

 fully stocked, and is not shot over at all, at 

 the end of two or three years the birds will 

 have very much decreased in numbers. This 

 is owing to the old birds driving away the 

 young ones and not breeding themselves. It is 

 difficult to prove, but we doubt if a cock grouse 

 or partridge rears a brood after the second or 

 third year. He makes vows of eternal devotion, 

 which last a fortnight, to first one hen and then 

 another. These hens,- being forsaken, forsake 

 their eggs, for birds that pair will rarely hatch 

 and rear a brood alone. Old cock grouse are 



