BLACKGAME 91 



single bird that has been resting in some corner behind 

 the rocks or bushes, and has not noticed the approach of 

 the guns. If there are old birds about, they will have 

 already got into little parties of their own, and taken up 

 their post of observation in some exposed situation, from 

 which they can have a good view of the surrounding 

 country in every direction, and thus ensure nearly perfect 

 safety for themselves. They consequently often do not 

 get shot when driving commences ; only the less fortunate 

 youngsters, which have not yet learnt to take complete 

 precautions, have to sacrifice their lives. Occasionally an 

 old Blackcock is surprised in deep heather or bushes ; but 

 if he is, he generally has the cunning to sit closer than a 

 young bird, and therefore has a better chance of being- 

 passed over altogether. By that season in but few places 

 dogs would be used, and he is either walked right on to, 

 or discloses his presence by breaking cover behind, when 

 the line has passed, and he fondly imagines he is well out 

 of shot. It is these stray birds, with the ever-varying 

 kind of shot that they present, that afford the chief 

 pleasure of shooting to votaries of the gun ; and as every 

 fresh variety offers an additional charm to the Highland 

 sportsman, how much should we feel indebted to the 

 Blackcock, who is ever the most noticeable and beautiful 

 item in a mixed bag ! As the shooter swings along over 

 the heather, he likes to feel that he is able to bring to bag 

 whatever is likely to spring up in the shape of fur or 

 feather, from the bounding Roe to the dodgy Snipe, and 

 nine men out of ten prefer making a small and pretty bag 

 of eight or nine varieties to a large one of Grouse or 

 Partridges. The sportsman knows that in helping to 



