54 THE GROUSE 



tagonist. His observations have often 

 the quality of singular directness, and 

 never fail in definiteness. Sometimes 

 they bring him sharply into conflict with 

 other observers, to the amusement as 

 well as instruction of onlookers, as when 

 he falls foul of Sir Herbert Maxwell's 

 defence of the tawny owl. 



Suffice it here further to say that it is 

 the business of the eident gamekeeper to 

 maintain for the salvation of the grouse 

 under his charge unremitting hostility to 

 all beasts and birds of predatory habits. 

 No one, presumably, not even the sports- 

 man or keeper, is so altogether void of 

 admiration for many of the beautiful and 

 agile creatures comprehensively classed 

 as " Vermin " in relation to game, as to 

 advocate their total extinction. That, it 

 is feared, has already been accomplished 

 as respects several of the species above 

 named. But a reasonably protective 

 policy towards the golden eagle, osprey, 

 and several others has for some time 

 generally prevailed ; and it is to be 



