116 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



After the month of August grouse are better 

 able to take care of themselves, and, although 

 comparatively safe from the legalized shooter 

 during the winter, great quantities then fall 

 victims to the Highland poacher, especially 

 when snow is on the ground, as they pack 

 together in considerable numbers, and expose 

 themselves on any turf-stack, wall, or bank that 

 happens to rise above the surface of the moor. 

 They are also snared, and occasionally netted ; 

 although, from a habit in these birds of scattering 



1837 and Whitsunday 1840, previous to the purchase of the 

 estate by Lord Ward. The slaughter was carried into effect 

 by numerous keepers, who received not only liberal wages but 

 extra rewards, varying from 3/. to 51. , according to their suc- 

 cess in the work of extermination. 



The ornithologist will be a little puzzled by the titles given 

 to some of the Raptores, but the names and epithets applied 

 to the greater number of them are nevertheless unusually clear 

 and appropriate, and will leave no doubt on his mind as to the 

 identity of many of the rarer victims. I will only add, that I 

 have received this ' black list' from the hands of the gentleman 

 himself, who was the lessee of the shooting at the time, and by 

 whose orders the execution took place. Although a good 

 sportsman and an excellent shot, it must be admitted that his 

 zeal as a preserver of game far outstripped his sympathies with 

 other animals. 



11 Foxes. 301 Stoats and weasels. 



198 Wild-cats. 67 Badgers. 



246 Martin-cats. 48 Otters. 



106 Pole-cats. 78 House-cats, going wild. 



