THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 233 



birds being tied by the heels and slung 

 separately on the waist-belt of the follower 

 or attendant ; by adopting this simple 

 plan, they will be kept sweet, and will 

 not taint. 



Where the grouse are found in the hol- 

 lows, and the soil is boggy, and when they 

 fall into puddles or swampy ground when 

 shot, they should be carefully wiped dry 

 with a towel or cloth. This applies to all 

 kinds of birds, but more especially to 

 snipe. 



Half of the snipes which are killed fall 

 into water, and in their wet state are 

 poked into a game-bag or pocket : the 

 consequence is, that in a few hours they 

 become a mass of carrion. The delicate 

 long bill should be swung backwards and 

 forwards until the moisture is shaken off, 

 then wiped quite dry, and hung by the 

 legs to the strap round the attendant's 

 waist. 



