GROUSING 45 



times been one of a party on this mission, the result has never 

 repaid the trouble. Of course, this would be different if the 

 total on the previous day had been many hundred brace. 



There can be no doubt that driving in the Highlands has 

 had a similar effect as in Yorkshire, viz., it has done the birds 

 good, and caused them to increase, as witness especially the 

 Glentromie shootings, where, before this was practised, the total 

 bag of all sorts used to be considered good if it reached fifteen 

 hundred head, whereas the same ground now yields of grouse 

 alone close on six thousand head. As soon as driving is 

 resorted to, numbers of old cocks fall to the gun which could 

 not be taken off the moor in any other way ; and also coveys, 

 which would otherwise never be introduced to each other, are 

 brought together from long distances and thoroughly mixed up, 

 by which an entire change of blood is assured to the whole 

 moor. The very best of shots have at times their bad days at 

 driven grouse, and excuses for poor form are ever ready and 

 numerous ; as a guide to any novice needing such, the following 

 forty are given, all of which have been heard to be pleaded in 

 mitigation of bad workmanship : — 



1. Dust, sun, and wind in my eyes. 



2. They swerved as I pulled. 



3. Could not see them till they were on me. 



4. Never saw them till they were past me. 



5. The light is so horridly bright. 



6. Such a beastly dull day. 



7. The box was too high. 



8. The boxes are not half high enough. 



9. A new gun. 



10. Cartridges damp. 



11. Had a letter from my wife this morning. 



1 2. Sleepless night ; horrid small bed and really not room 



for wife and self. 



13. Cartridges too heavily loaded. 



14. So cold I could not swing to them. 



