SHOOTING THE GROUSE 



Moy Hall, Inverness : November 30, 1893. 

 This moor contains about 11,000 acres, and lies in 

 Strathdearn, in the valley of the river Findhorn, at an 

 altitude of 1,100 feet above sea-level. It is nearly 

 square in shape, and the surface is undulating and 

 pretty smooth. It is very well watered by springs 

 and burns, and lies to the sun. As it has been in the 

 proprietor's own hands since 1878, the heather is well 

 burned all over the ground a matter of vital import- 

 ance in keeping up a large stock and insuring healthy 

 birds. Too many moors are well burned in parts only, 

 generally near burns, and the other beats neglected. 

 Good burning can only be done on the high ground 

 in exceptional years, and only then for a very short 

 time, so that it is all-important to put on a large force 

 of men to do this when the chance can be got. 

 Little patches, but very frequent, should be the rule. 

 This spreads the birds more, and prevents old birds 

 from driving the younger birds off the strips when 

 they are feeding. Then again, every care should be 

 taken to make as much as possible of the water on the 

 moor, Every trickle of water should be puddled 

 up, and a succession of small drinking places made. 

 Nothing can be worse in a dry rearing season than 

 to have all the birds crammed together in one or two 

 places. In fact, as in modern warfare, the spade has 



