GROUSING 



43 



position everyone is more likely to hold well over the mark 

 than if the gun, having been raised, has to be dropped on 

 to the object, such movement naturally tending to make the 

 shooter aim low. Having already expressed an opinion on 

 the hopelessness of trying to teach shooting by writing, it only 

 remains to advise the novice at a grouse drive never to hesitate. 

 When the birds are yet between sixty or seventy yards away, 

 let him single out one, and at once bring the gun to his 

 shoulder and fire. As quickly as possible let the other barrel 

 follow, if even at a bird only a few yards in front ; for as long 

 as it is not sideways or has not passed him, it will not be 

 "blown" by being killed at such close quarters. Anyone 

 shooting in this style will have time to get his second gun 

 and repeat the performance behind him, when, even if he 

 misses with all four barrels, he will have shown better style 

 than the man who, putting his gun to his shoulder, keeps 

 shifting his aim from bird to bird till they are on him 

 before he has made up his mind at which to fire, and who 

 has eventually to turn round and shoot behind him. At times 

 the high winds play havoc with the top peats of the butt, and 

 if it be necessary to build it up a little taller, then be care- 

 ful to go to windward before commencing work, or the eyes 

 will be filled with peat dust, which will effectually prevent 

 shooting if the birds begin to come before they are rid of the 

 visitation. 



Most Scotch keepers have still a good deal to learn in the 

 art of making comfortable boxes, for they are usually neither 

 sufficiently wide nor high, and there is no doubt the circular 

 box is the best of all, as it hides the occupant from all birds 

 coming sideways. The author remembers being out with 

 a very fine shot who stood six feet five and was broad in 

 proportion, and the small boxes, or rather little walls of peat, 

 completely put him off his shooting, both from their being 

 too small to conceal him and from the cramped attitude they 

 kept him in. At last he complained of this to the keeper, 



