CHAPTER XVIIL THE BLACK 

 GROUSE. 



PRESERVING. 



AS we have said, although the red and black grouse have 

 much in common, still they differ in many respects, 

 and under no circumstances are these variations more con- 

 spicuous than when their preservation is attempted. The 

 most striking characteristic of the black grouse is its aversion 

 to the sounds of human bustle and industry. When the 

 preserving is taken up this becomes a serious matter, and 

 unless one can guarantee quietude and the absence of 

 regular and continued disturbance, the birds will not remain 

 and increase ; consequently the first consideration in rein- 

 stating a head of black game must be the suitability of the 

 ground. From the foregoing chapter can be learnt all that 

 is necessary as to the topography of a site, but the question 

 of quietude is almost equally important. Possibly, some 

 large expanse of land, such as a common, moor, or down, 

 adjacent to, and upon which, are some number of more or 

 less advanced woods and plantations and copse, may be 

 available. It must be free from the grazing of sheep and 



