SHOOTING THE GROUSE 



few inhabitants are obliged to take advantage of 

 every moment of fine weather for their hay or corn 

 harvest. 



I propose to consider these objections in detail, 

 and try to point out how they may be best overcome. 



There are no doubt localities where the precipitous 

 ground, intersected with deep ravines, and powdered 

 with great rocks as though cast from a giant's hand, 

 precludes any attempt at driving, excepting in a limited 

 and desultory fashion, merely to give a day or two of 

 variety. It is also superfluous to observe that where 

 the grouse moor is merely a slight fringe to the higher 

 ground or deer forest, driving need not be considered. 

 But putting such districts out of the question, the 

 great majority of Scotch moors are what, if I may coin 

 a word for the purpose, I should call 'drivable.' 



More than this, there are many which are more 

 suitable for driving, and would yield larger bags, than 

 a second-rate Yorkshire moor. We are, of course, not 

 here considering the comparative attractions or merits 

 of driving as compared with shooting over dogs, but 

 assuming that the owner or lessee of a moor in Scot- 

 land would like to drive his grouse, and thereby 

 improve his stock, but considers himself prevented 

 by one or more of the difficulties I have named. 



It is a very common error to suppose that all 



