Poachers arid Poaching. \ I 



train of grain straight as a hazel stick. He has 

 brought in a bag an old duck-gun, the barrels of 

 which are short, having been filed down. This 

 short weapon can easily be carried in his 

 capacious pocket, and is only needed to fire at 

 short distances. Into this he crams a heavy 

 charge of powder and waits for the dawn. The 

 covey comes with a loud whirring of wings, and 

 the birds settle to feed immediately. Firing 

 along the line, a single shot strews the ground 

 with dead<jand dying. In ten minutes he is a 

 mile from the spot, always keeping clear of the 

 roads. The poacher has yet another method. 

 Grain is soaked until it becomes swollen and is 

 then steeped in the strongest spirit. This, as 

 before, is strewn in the morning paths of the 

 partridge, and, soon taking effect, the naturally 

 pugnacious birds are presently staggering and 

 fighting desperately. The poacher bides his 

 time, and, as opportunity offers, knocks the 

 incapacitated birds on the head. 



The wilder grouse poaching of the moorlands 

 is now rarely followed. The birds are taken in 

 nets similar to those used for partridges. By 

 imitating the peculiar gurgling call-notes of the 

 grouse, old poachers can bring up all birds 

 within hearing distance. As they fly over the 

 knolls and braes they are shot. Many of the 

 birds sold in London on the morning of the 

 " Twelfth " are taken in this way. In the north, 



