224 THE GROUSE 



humanitarian considerations to one side, 

 you will be doing far more harm to the 

 moor than good to the bag. 



It is, unfortunately, by no means an 

 uncommon spectacle to see a man, who in 

 his ordinary walk of life would shrink 

 from causing unnecessary pain to a fly, 

 heedlessly condemning bird after bird to 

 a cruel and lingering death by dwelling 

 on his aim, and eventually firing at birds 

 long after they have passed beyond 

 effective range. 



Cruelty there must be in all sport 

 which involves the taking of life ; whether 

 such cruelty be justified by the kindness 

 and care lavishly bestowed on the game 

 during the rest of the year we may leave 

 it for others to decide ; but let us at 

 least be conscious of our responsibility 

 when we take the gun in hand, and be 

 especially careful to cause as little suffer- 

 ing as may be to the bird to whom we 

 owe so many hours of unalloyed pleasure. 



You will find it difficult to remember 

 how many birds you have down, unless 



