GROUSING 33 



When grouse are shot over dogs, the sport is usually shared 

 by two guns only, and if they perfectly understand each other, 

 it will make a great difference to the total of the bag at the 

 end of each day. Two thoroughly trained men, shooting side 

 by side, will never both shoot at the same bird ; should a single 

 one rise, it is instantaneously recognised whose bird it is ; 

 if two get up, then usually each takes one ; and if several, 

 then those on the left belong to the left-hand man, while those 

 on the right remain for the other gun. Now, all this reads 

 very simple and easy to carry out, but so rapidly do birds 

 move, and when in coveys so quickly do they shift the order 

 of their going, that it takes long practice, coupled with much 

 smartness of eye and brain, for each shooter to stick to his own 

 birds. In this style of shooting two good men— except when 

 coveys rise — will never both be unloaded at the same moment, 

 so thus no lazy birds escape, while each covey will generally 

 yield three if not four birds to the rise. Shooters who do not 

 know or observe these rules may often be seen both to fire at 

 the same bird in a covey, and then can be heard a conversation 

 somewhat as follows : — ■ 



A. I got a brace ! What did you do ? 



B. Oh ! I got a brace too. 



A. That's good — let's pick 'em up and get on. 



B. (to A., who has picked up a brace.) Thanks ; those are 

 my two you've just picked up. 



A. Oh, no ! these are mine — yours must be further out. 



B. Not at all ; I'm certain I killed that brace, and I haven't 

 taken my eyes off the place ! Sandy, where did Mr. A.'s 

 birds fall ? 



Sandy. Weel, sirs, I noticed but just the twa, and I'm 

 thinking baith o' ye shot at the verra same each time! 



The result is, ten minutes is wasted, and the chance of 

 getting two brace instead of one is entirely thrown away. 

 It is clear if this happens repeatedly during the day, two 

 trained men will bring home nearly double the bag that will 



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