158 HINTS ON GROUSE DRIVING. 



Grouse can be forced straight on a very long way 

 down wind. Their flight is naturally longer than that 

 of a partridge, and when started a second time, if 

 they have not become suspicious of the presence of 

 the guns, they will still continue their forward flight. 

 The opposite or return drive, which is pretty sure to 

 be up wind, should be arranged for a much shorter 

 distance, not to allow of more than one settling of the 

 birds, which should be calculated to take place at or 

 within shot, if possible, of the butts, as, if twice dis- 

 turbed up wind, the packs are pretty sure to rebel, 

 break back, and disappear into space over the beaters' 

 heads. 



Grouse are also much more easily disturbed from 

 their seats than partridges, consequently a greater 

 distance between the drivers is permissible ; but when 

 it comes to real strength in flying, an old cock pheasant 

 will beat the lot. There is a w r ell-know r n loch in 

 Scotland, about two miles broad, from the shores of 

 which packs of grouse, coveys of partridges, and single 

 pheasants are often known to essay, when once started, 

 a crossing of the sheet of water ; but the pheasant is 

 the only bird that ever gets over in safety, grouse, 

 partridges, and blackgame all dropping into the lake 

 ere they reach the opposite shore. 



The curve or line of beaters must be kept very 

 exactly, any man losing his dressing and getting in 

 front or in rear of the line appearing to act as a 

 wedge, and encouraging any birds that may be raised 



