CAPERCAILZIE, BLACKGAME, PTARMIGAN, ETC. 6i 



and toils up again. Should, however, the attacking party be 

 in force, then there is always some one told off — usually a 

 ponyman — to keep round the base of the hill being beaten, on 

 purpose to gather birds thus falling. 



Ptarmigan driving we have never seen tried but once, and 

 that was on Mai Huich, at Glentromie, with the result of 

 sixteen brace ; but what we then saw leads us to think that 

 there is nothing to hinder successful ptarmigan driving, pro- 

 viding their flights are carefully studied by the keepers. 



Roedeer are common throughout Scotland wherever there 

 are woods to shelter them, but as soon as the novelty of the 

 first few shots has worn off, their pursuit, when driven to the 

 guns in cover, soon ceases to be a sport in which much excite- 

 ment is to be found, as they are very easily despatched, while 

 but little pleasure can be found in shooting animals so beautiful. 

 In August and September they are so poor as to be almost unfit 

 for the table — their coats are yet thin and red ; and it is not till 

 November and the two following months that the livery of 

 condition is donned, as shown by the blue-brown colour of the 

 hide and the thick mat of hair covering it. Even when at their 

 best, if the assistance of a good cook is lacking, they are most 

 moderate eating ; but an artiste being forthcoming, then ayf/<?/ 

 of roe piqud and marine is by no means a dish to despise. 

 They are easy victims to a charge of No. 4 shot placed 

 behind the shoulder, and the best buck we ever secured fell to 

 a few pellets of No. 6. It is a cruel thing to fire at these 

 handsome little fellows if they are over thirty-five yards off, and 

 this even though they be broadside on ; but sad to say, this is 

 a matter often disregarded. In the opinion of the author 

 the best form of sport to be had with roebuck is to be got by 

 going out alone, armed with a small-bore rifle ; then, by 

 sneaking about in the woods, a shot can often be had, while as 

 they are very quick at hearing, seeing, and winding danger, 

 anyone getting a few bucks in this way may be fairly proud of 

 success. If the cover where they are sought for be one having 



