CHAPTER V 



DISEASES OF GROUSE 



Of all the ills which befall the grouse and 

 misfortunes which overtake expectant 

 sportsmen, none can compare with the 

 mysterious scourge comprehensively but 

 somewhat vaguely known as " the Grouse 

 Disease." An exactly appropriate desig- 

 nation of this malady cannot be stated 

 until its true character and undoubted 

 origin have been scientifically demon- 

 strated beyond cavil. There have not 

 been awanting, indeed, causes assigned for 

 the plague, proofs of its origin, methods 

 for its prevention, or its evasion, or its 

 cure ; but truth to say, not one of these 

 causes or cures has escaped damaging 

 criticism. They have been shown to be 

 either self- contradictory, or at variance 



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