BELGIUM 87 



concealing the results for fear of attracting poachers. There are 



famous shootings, on which it is said that an individual gun can 



account for fifty brace, but these must be regarded as exceptional. 



But at any rate we may regard from fifteen to thirty brace a day • 



as nothing unusual during the early days of the season. 



Grouse is an imported game, but its acclimatisation is to-day an 



accomplished fact. About 1893 M. A. Bary Herrfeldt introduced 



grouse from Scotland and turned them down in the 



Grouse. 

 neighbourhood of Malmedy, where he owned a shooting 



of some three or four thousand acres of heath and peat bog, probably 



not unlike the country in Scotland. From that time, thanks to 



systematic protection and the moderation of the neighbours, the 



bird has done well and has continued to extend its range. Grouse 



have been seen at Elsenborn, Sourbrondt, and even many miles from 



Malmedy. 



We have two migrational visits from the woodcock, the bird flying 



north in March and returning south in October. Few shoots are got 



up in its special honour, but in the woods, durino- the 



^ Woodcock. 



pheasant or hare shooting, the cry of "Mark over! 



Cock ! " acts like an electric shock among the guns ; and surely, with 



its last gasp, the bird might utter the poet's Sic non vobis ! Woodcock 



shooting over a pointer, or with a brace of cockers, is also practised, 



but, though a method in every way worthy of a sportsman, is less in 



favour than the chance shooting aforementioned. Another very 



favourite method of shooting woodcock in Belgium is to lie in 



ambush for it at twilight. This is locally known as chasse a la 



croule, and is practised in March. As, however, the woodcock is 



