XXT. GROUSE SHOOTING {PART VI\ l DRIVING* 343 



front of your shelter, and which you are conscious is 

 a long shot ; for it seldom drops dead, the distance 

 being probably at least a dozen yards farther than 

 you estimated it at. 



The reason of this miscalculation is that on a 

 moor you have nothing to assist you in judging 

 distance, such as trees or fences. You see your bird 

 plainly against the sky or heather, and it seems 

 much the same size at forty yards as it does at thirty. 

 A driven grouse is not in shot till you can distinctly 

 see its head and the markings of its plumage. 



Invariably try to kill the first bird that comes 

 within range of your gun. Select it for your aim before 

 it is actually in shot, and as you pull the trigger 

 and realise the bird collapses, though you may not 

 actually see it fall, instantly choose the next nearest 

 one for your second barrel. 



If a number are flying to you there will always be 

 leading birds. These are the ones to fire at ; for 

 though a pack of grouse as they approach may look 

 like a compact body, one bird no farther forward 

 than the others, yet if you could view them sideways 

 you would be surprised how strung out their flight 

 really is ! * 



* I have read severe criticisms on grouse driving by opponents of 

 the Game Laws, who draw upon their imagination to describe how 



