xvi. GROUSE SHOOTING (PART I},' INTRODUCTORY' 273 



likely -to do so, then hope tells a flattering tale, as it 

 i- more than probable that for at least two seasons 

 of your lease you will have little sport, unless among 

 the old birds. 



I would much prefer, when hiring a moor for a 

 term, to take one that is recovering from disease rather 

 than one that has been free of the plague for seven or 

 (.'iirht years. In the former case you have only to 

 shoot somewhat lightly for the first year or two, 

 d -voting your gun chiefly to the old cocks, and you 

 will be rewarded with exceptional sport afterwards, as 

 the stock rapidly increases, and you will, at all events, 

 l'et-1 you are safe for some time. 



When a moor has produced a wonderful bag of 

 grouse it is an easy one for an agent to let ; but recollect 

 it is always after a heavy bag that disease appears, and 

 a heavy bag generally means that too many birds are 

 left as a stock, and contagion is spread, should disease 

 set in, over every part of the ground, then good-bye 

 to all sport for anyhow a couple of years, as the old 

 birds without broods will not lie to .your dogs, and if 

 you do kill these it is decimating the moor ; for, 

 remember, grouse have to rear themselves, and differ 

 from pheasants and partridges, which can be produced 

 by artificial assistance. 



If a moor has had no disease for seven or eight 

 years, and a heavy bag has been obtained off it 

 during the past season, do not become more than a 

 yearly tenant, with the option, if you can so arrange 



II T 



