60 THE GROUSE 



ment which will well reward all the pains 

 bestowed upon it. Minute and systematic 

 attention is given to it on every leading 

 moor liable on occasions to water failure, 

 however seldom or temporary. To the 

 system of sheep drains is sometimes at- 

 tributed failure of water-supplies on sloping 

 ground, but sheep draining is now not 

 much practised, and scarcity of water more 

 often occurs from perfectly natural causes. 

 Where, however, the artificial surface 

 trenches known as sheep drains are still in 

 use, tender young grouse are liable to 

 fall into them and be drowned. The 

 keeper must in such circumstances provide 

 at frequent intervals sloping ways in the 

 sides of the drains whereby young 

 unfledged birds may escape from this 

 danger. 



Not only must a steady and pure supply 

 of water be available to grouse, but they 

 ought always to have access to little banks 

 of grit. Many proprietors of moors place 

 so much importance on this as being an 

 essential of proper trituration and digestion 



