GROUSE 225 



shooting of driven game, are as totally dissimilar as are 

 these two sports distinct of nature. In one there is 

 calm, leisurely enjoyment ; in the other keen, one might 

 almost say fierce, excitement. 



True, driving has its moments of quiet pleasure, 

 those chiefly of anticipation and of consummation. 

 The anticipatory pleasure comes when, safely ensconced 

 behind the butt, the shooter watches with calm ex- 

 pectancy the efforts made by the distant line of beaters 

 on his behalf. The consummatory delights come last 

 of all, as, with hopes and fears allayed, he sees to the 

 gathering and counting of his slain. 



But the chief pleasure in driving is, of course, that 

 period just precedent to the arrival of the birds within 

 gun-range, as also during their passage over the line 

 of guns. Most sportsmen having tasted to the full the 

 keen delights of grouse or partridge drive, will concur 

 that but few moments such as these form ample com- 

 pensation for all periods of enforced inactivity between 

 the drives. 



In the early drives of the season, with the bulk of 

 the birds unaccustomed to the strategic movements of 

 the driver or the arts and attentions of the concealed 

 gunner, the sport is scarcely so wild or exciting as in, 

 say, October, when keenly-alert and strong-flying grouse 

 whirl over the line of guns in several more or less con- 

 nected packs. In such case the birds move at high 

 speed, and the gunner is well aware that he must 

 display corresponding celerity of movement in the 

 handling of his guns. Moreover the fullest measure of 

 his opportunities must then be seized upon, as in all 

 likelihood the grouse that have once passed his butt 

 will be seen no more that day. 



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