798 MANUAL OF MODERN FAJIRIERY. 



First of all procure bladders, and put a brace or more in one, 

 if the bladder will contain them ; tie the bladder tight 

 round the neck, and seal it with sealing-wax, to prevent the 

 air getting in ; and in this state, if put into boxes, they will 

 keep for three weeks if required." If the sportsman has not 

 provided himself with these before going to the moors, the 

 next best thing is to wrap the birds firmly up in paper and 

 place some heath in the bottom of the packing-box. 



Grouse-shooting commences on the twelfth day of August 

 and ends the tenth day of December. 



This fine bird is exclusivel}^ British, as hitherto it has 

 never been found in any other country. It was originally only 

 an inhabitant of Scotland, but has now found its way into 

 several of the higher districts of England and Wales, but not 

 extending further south than Wales and Yorkshire. 



Grouse never resort to woods, but confine themselves 

 wholly to the open moors. They are monogamous, pairing 

 every spring, and this at a very early period, usually during 

 the month of January, but in mild seasons even previous to 

 that time, making their nests of a few withered stems of 

 heath or grass, placed carelessly together in a tuft of heath. 

 The female lays from eight to fourteen eggs, commencing in 

 ]\Iarch or April, according to the warmth of the season. The 

 eggs are of a greyish-white, blotched with umber-brown. 

 The office of incubation is performed by the female ; the 

 male bird, however, remaining in the immediate neighboiur- 

 hood of the nest, and joining the brood ; after which he is 

 as assiduous in his attention to them as the female. They 

 continue together until the following spring, at which time, 

 by the great law of nature, they separate into pairs. In 

 localities where they are very numerous, they often congre- 

 gate into large packs, during the latter part of autumn, and 

 continue so through the winter ; and when thus associated 



