136 SHOOTING THE GROUSE 



reads them, discusses and criticises them, and then 

 puts them away on the shelf without ever making the 

 experiment of thoroughly putting into practice what 

 has been so carefully thought out and set down by 

 men of such experience as the authors of those 

 volumes. 



I can add hardly anything to what they have 

 written, but I can at least point out that if they were 

 less criticised or neglected, and more acted upon, 

 grouse driving on the average Scotch moor would be 

 far more profitable to the owner and pleasanter to 

 his friends. 



The matter is new to the Scotchman, and he is 

 inclined for various reasons, to be alluded to presently, 

 to view it with little favour. But if he has to do it at 

 all, he may just as well learn what remarkable results 

 he may achieve by carrying it out systematically and 

 properly. The new system must have a fair trial to 

 be properly adopted or condemned. It is the head- 

 keeper ivho must read the admin ton Library and 

 master its details ; but how many keepers have ever 

 had a serious book on shooting given to them by their 

 masters, or enjoyed the chance of discussing such a 

 work with anyone who understands it ? 



Take a simple instance like the colour of the flags. 

 It has over and over again been urged that the 



