CHAPTER XIII. THE RED GROUSE. 



INTRODUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF A STOCK. 



r I iHE introduction of red grouse upon a moor is a very 

 JL different matter to that of pheasants into existing coverts. 

 The first obstacle to the establishment of a moor would 

 probably be found in the acquisition of a suitable expanse 

 of land. Nowadays deer forests, so called, are very much 

 on a level with sheep farms, or, at least, it is sought to 

 make them so, and the question is often debated, which 

 would be the most successful, commercially considered. 

 But, whether rightly or not, grouse moors are regarded as 

 an expensive luxury, and as affording comparatively no 

 recompense in rent to the owner of the land. Consequently, 

 it is much easier to acquire a moor than to obtain an 

 expanse of hill land, for the purpose of introducing and 

 maintaining a head of moor game. It is a case of " first 

 catch your hare." First acquire your moor not preserved, 

 but ready and suitable to commence work on. A suitable 

 moor must have two qualifications ; firstly, and of chief 

 importance, a natural adaptability of soil, situation and 

 general character, for the rearing of grouse ; and, secondly, 



