CHAPTER XIII 



GROUSE-DRIVING 



ONE of the most remarkable characteristics of 

 the red grouse is the difference in the degree of 

 wildness which it shows in different localities. 

 In some of the islands on the west coast of 

 Scotland it is difficult to make the coveys rise, 

 even late in the season ; and it would be possible 

 for persevering and persistent guns to exterminate 

 the breed altogether. On the mainland of Argyle- 

 shire, and especially in the south of the peninsula 

 of Cantyre, the grouse are still very tame during 

 the early part of the season, and even late in 

 October will often sit to dogs on a fine day with 

 bright sun and a slight touch of frost. In Perth- 

 shire early good sport can be had with pointers 

 and setters, although several coveys rise out 

 of range, but later in the season it is next to 

 impossible to approach the birds, except round 

 the corners of hills, or in very broken ground, 

 and dogs are rather a hindrance than a help. 

 A single very steady old pointer or setter, or a 

 well-broken spaniel which will keep quite close 

 to hand, will sometimes find a stray bird so 



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