124 SHOOTING THE GROUSE 



couldn't drive my ground, it is too steep.' This may 

 be so, although he is probably mistaken j but it is 

 impossible to know the particulars and comparative 

 conditions of every moor in Scotland and England. . 

 Nobody's knowledge would be sufficient for this ; one 

 can only consider the general characteristics of a 

 district. I only know that I have heard this sort of 

 speech from men who rent shootings in a district 

 where the conformation of the ground is far more 

 favourable to driving than many a Yorkshire dale, 

 and that merely looking from the train window on 

 the Caledonian, the Glasgow and South-Western, 

 ay, and on the Highland line, you will see miles 

 upon miles of gentle slope and broad hill-face clothed 

 in luxuriant heather which to a Yorkshire keeper's 

 eye would look ideal ground for driving. 



The very inequalities of the moor, when properly 

 turned to account in conjunction with the habitual 

 flight of the birds, give opportunities which would not 

 be detected by those unaccustomed to study ground 

 as well as grouse with this object in view. Where 

 the moor is very rocky, and the small ' knowes ' or 

 knolls of heather are alternated with miniature preci- 

 pices and ravines, furrowed and scored with the rush 

 of melting snow, or swept bare by the plenteous 

 volume of the summer spate, you will find the grouse 



