222 THE GROUSE 



give up all idea of killing your two out 

 of each lot in front, contenting yourself 

 with making quite sure of one, taking 

 him rather close in, and swinging round 

 like lightning to take the second behind, 

 if no further birds are coming from the 

 front. 



If birds settle in front of your butt, 

 always make a point of firing at them, 

 even at rather long range. Left un- 

 disturbed they will be sure to draw 

 other birds, and the whole lot, being 

 in sight of the butts, will probably all 

 eventually rise together, swing back over 

 the beaters' heads, and be lost to the 

 drive. Grouse when fired at in the act of 

 settling, and it is then that they are most 

 vulnerable, are often at a loss to know 

 where the shot came from, and may very 

 likely rise and come straight on again. 



It is hard to lay down any exact rules 

 about the correct distances at which you 

 should open fire, so much depends on 

 local conditions and the time of year. 

 You may try to take a very long shot 



