BLACK GAME. 213 



Black Game moult in July and August, and are not 

 in really first-rate condition before October. The 

 shooting season commences too early ; the poor birds 

 should be allowed at least another fortnight's grace ; 

 for there is really little sport in putting up a bird which 

 is scarcely able to fly from under your dog's nose, and 

 affords an easy shot, even to the merest novice. In 

 mid-winter Black Grouse join into flocks, sometimes the 

 sexes keeping separate, but as often as not the males 

 and females in company. Blackcock shooting may not 

 be so exciting as Grouse shooting, but still the sport is 

 good. Gunners must know the habits of the bird, and 

 chance the uncertainties of the sport. On dull, misty 

 days, the birds often allow the sportsman to walk up 

 and shoot them as they fly from the trees in which they 

 will stupidly sit. Driving, when the corn is cut, is 

 perhaps the best method of shooting Black Game ; but 

 the sportsman must know his book, otherwise he will 

 fail in making a bag even on well-stocked ground. Red 

 Grouse always endeavour to fly down wind ; Blackcock 

 just as surely try to fly up wind. The shooter must 

 make himself acquainted with the particular routes the 

 birds take, to and from their feeding grounds, and 

 always endeavour when driving to let them follow them. 

 The quieter the " drive " is conducted, the better it will 

 be for sport ; because, if the birds are much harassed, 

 they will mount up to a considerable height and fly 



