230 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



feather did we find ; and yet, finer moors 

 are not to be seen in Scotland, Yorkshire, 

 or Wales. 



I have observed that much good would 

 result if grouse-shooting, in this country, 

 were not permitted until the end of the 

 month of August, and I think it would be 

 well if the proprietors of the several hills 

 would come to a determination, una voce, 

 to defer the opening day to a later period 

 — a fortnight at least ; and I will take the 

 liberty of stating why I recommend the 

 adoption. 



In the early part of the month, during 

 the very hot weather, the young birds lie 

 like so many stones ; the old birds rise 

 first, and, of course, the chances are equal 

 that the hen bird is knocked over. The 

 mischief here done is incalculable, for, as 

 in the case of pheasants, where the hen- 

 birds are destroyed, the numbers in each 

 succeeding year must be sensibly dimi- 

 nished. By the exercise of a fortnight's 



