60 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



BLACK GROUSE. 



Case 68. 



Though a few of these fine birds are still to be met 

 with in even the most southern counties, we must 

 cross the Tweed before we can observe them in their 

 true home. 



During August the young Black Game are usually 

 so tame as to afford little or no sport. By November, 

 however, when they have gained both strength and 

 experience, it will, on most moors, need hard work to 

 fill a bag without having recourse to driving. 



I have occasionally seen them during a severe snow- 

 storm at the end of the season so cut up by the 

 weather, that they would sit huddled up in the birch 

 trees, and allow themselves to be shot on their 

 perches, if anyone were inclined to take such an un- 

 sportsmanlike advantage of them. 



On clear still mornings, during the latter part of the 

 winter and early spring, the oldest and finest birds 

 usually collect on some open spot, just after daybreak, 

 and go through a regular performance ; but whether it 

 be fighting or playing I am unable to say. 



I have frequently watched them from a distance ; 

 but on one occasion, having noticed that they had for 

 a day or two held their meetings on the brow of a hill 

 where I could get a good hiding-place, I resolved to 

 make an attempt to witness the whole of their pro- 

 ceedings. 



Accordingly I arrived at the spot an hour before 

 daybreak, and, creeping into a regular nest of rugs 

 and plaids which the keepers arranged for me, I was 



