120 THE GUN : AFIELD AND AFLOAT 



The red grouse rises also in the estimation of British 

 sportsmen when it is considered that this fine game-bird 

 is indigenous only in these islands. Various attempts 

 have been made to introduce red grouse into North 

 Germany and elsewhere on the Continent, but so far the 

 effort has not met with any decided measure of success. 

 The red grouse is an early nester, and this circumstance 

 accounts for still another reason for holding the bird 

 in high esteem. Hatching out quite early and maturing 

 rapidly, the hardy young grouse. are usually found to be 

 in a shootable condition fully a fortnight to three weeks 

 before partridges are ready for the gun. Thus we find 

 the law of the land sanctions the shooting of grouse so 

 early as August 12, consequently this date deservedly 

 occupies an exceedingly prominent position in the 

 calendar of a large section of the shooting fraternity of 

 this country. 



In recent years that dread disorder known commonly 

 as "grouse disease" has seldom been absent from our 

 northern moors for long together. A period of com- 

 parative immunity from this scourge has, however, lately 

 been enjoyed, and the most fervent wish of all keen 

 sportsmen is that it may long continue. The character 

 of the weather experienced throughout winter greatly 

 influences the position, and decides in great measure the 

 all-important problem as to the existence of disease 

 during the ensuing spring and summer. Mild winters tend 

 to foster the disease, whilst, on the other hand, severe 

 winters tend towards its discouragement. Hard frost 

 and deep snow, in their proper season, are often enough 

 true benefactors upon a grouse moor, for, in addition to 

 keeping disease in check, such wintry accompaniments 

 help in other ways to promote a healthy stock of breed- 



