The Confessions of a 'Poacher. 121 



so. It may be called l poaching ' all I can 

 say is, there would be many more gentlemen 

 poachers if they could obtain such chances, 

 and could not get game in any other way." 



Both grouse and black game may frequently 

 be brought within range by placing a dead or 

 stuffed bird on a rock or a stone wall. A 

 small forked stick is made to support the head 

 and neck of the decoy " dummy," which, if 

 there are birds in the vicinity, soon attracts 

 them As a rule the lure is not long suc- 

 cessful, but sufficiently so as to enable the 

 poacher to make a big bag. Upon one oc- 

 casion I made a remarkable addition to our 

 fur and feather. In the darkness a movement 

 was heard among the dense branches of a 

 Scotch fir, when, looking up, a large bird which 

 seemed as big as a turkey commenced to 

 flutter off. It was stopped before it had flown 

 many yards, and proved to be a handsome 

 cock Capercailzie in splendid plumage. Had I 

 been certain as to what it was I certainly 

 should not have fired. 



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