HINTS ON GROUSE DRIVING. 141 



Another very excellent and useful companion for a 

 grouse drive is a clever retrieving Sussex spaniel, 

 the dark brown colour and small size of this breed 

 rendering them almost invisible, and consequently 

 harmless, should they happen when seeking to stray 

 over the sky line a breach of discipline in retrievers 

 much commented upon by careful hosts and head 

 keepers as liable to disturb or frighten back the birds 

 for the next drive. 



But a truce to preliminary dissertation. Our party 

 are now in their butts, or ensconced behind some 

 friendly wall. If the latter, the places where the 

 guns are to stand should be marked out, and made 

 comfortable by the laying of a sod on the top of the 

 stones for the shooter to rest his elbows and gun 

 upon, assisted also by another sod or turf pegged 

 into the -side of the wall in front of where he stands, 

 just the right height to lean the muzzles of the spare 

 guns against, and so prevent any risk of grating or 

 scratching of the barrels. 



A single bird or two arrive ; generally killed are 

 these venturesome pioneers. A small pack of per- 

 haps seven or eight very often then presents itself. 

 Generally missed is that first small pack, and then 

 ensues a brief space of inactivity ; not a sound should 

 be heard nor a movement seen. Every eye is fixed 

 upon the horizon before him ; all is calm and still as 

 your eye wanders, with restless gaze, from right to 

 left, across and in front of you, one gun in hand, full 



