222 AUTUMNS IN ARGYLESHIRE 



a little of the white under their tails. A 

 whistle from Neill tells that the birds are up, 

 and soon a stream of more than a hundred are 

 passing over our heads, but rather wide, and 

 then a few stragglers. Harry accounts for three ; 

 I only get one with my two barrels, shooting a 

 little behind the first bird through not allowing 

 enough for the pace. The old cocks on the hill 

 take not the slightest notice of the fusillade. 

 They are some distance off, and it is noticeable 

 how little attention these birds pay to the sound 

 of a shot, if the sportsman who fires it keeps 

 out of sight. Soon a sentinel rises from the 

 ground and heads straight for my companion. 

 Now, let me see if he holds forward enough. 

 They go so fast, and look as if they were tra- 

 velling so slow, that it is easy enough to shoot 

 behind them, and a few pellets too far back have 

 no more apparent effect than a pea-shooter would 

 produce on a tiger. But Harry is not new to the 

 game, and the old sultan crumples up in the air 

 and comes to the ground with a thud. 



Another, then a flock, then some grouse. This 

 afternoon we are in luck, and for a short time 

 the fun is fast and furious. Sometimes the old 

 stagers go on unmoved, although the shot can 

 be heard to rattle against their breasts ; but there 

 they are well protected by the close feathers, and 

 it really requires No. 4 to make sure of them. 

 One drawback to our amusement is that the wind 



