420 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



With these considerations in view we may proceed to lay 

 down the one great law of stock management, viz., determine 

 the number of birds that the moor will carry safely in March, 

 and irrespective of all other consideration kill the birds down to 

 that limit. 



It is a very curious thing that while all are agreed that 

 stock must be " hammered " in a good year, no real pre- 

 cautions are taken either to find out when a good year is 

 coming, or when a good year has arrived. Nothing is more 

 common than the case of the moor - owner who, after 

 various rumours and counter rumours, at last makes a 

 casual inquiry about Ascot week from his agent or factor 

 as to whether there will be any birds that shooting season. 

 By early July he has settled his Grouse-driving parties, and 

 has selected his shots from his regular autumn visitors, 

 with the sole change of perhaps adding a couple of speci- 

 ally good shots if the report is favourable, or eliminating 

 the names of certain guests in the case of the report not 

 being satisfactory. Towards early August he finds his way 

 on to the moor, and the keeper, who has probably often 

 been found fault with for undue optimism, hints vaguely 

 that there is a " grand appearance," or perhaps, if cautious, 

 " more than the usual stock on the ground." It is not till 

 the first week of shooting that the host at last realises that he 

 has got an abnormal stock of birds. His visitors rejoice, but 

 he himself knows that his prospects of sport for future years 

 are seriously threatened. If he realises the full significance 

 of the position he may attempt to fit in one or two additional 

 shooting weeks late in the season ; those who have tried to 

 get together an October Grouse-drive will readily appreciate 

 the difficulties of the task. Added to this he may not be 

 favoured by fortune. The earlier shoots may be spoilt by 

 wind or weather, the later shoots may be rendered abortive 

 by the high gales of the equinoctial period, and by the indifferent 

 marksmanship of a hastily collected team of guns. The result 

 is a foregone conclusion. The moor remains insufficiently 



