242 SHOOTING THE GROUSE 



of the cross on St. Paul's Cathedral, to the ground 

 whence he was first disturbed. 



Black-game have wonderful turning power, and it 

 is a sight to see them, when they are driven down a 

 heavy wind and suspect or are sure of danger in front, 

 wheel deliberately round and go up wind over the 

 drivers in the teeth of half a gale. For this reason it is 

 necessary to observe silence as you move to your post 

 and after you have reached it ; even smoking being 

 in some places prohibited. The great thing is to get 

 the main body, the large pack or packs over the guns, 

 scatter them to a certain extent, and at any rate utilise 

 them for the next drive. 



To insure this you must also be careful not to 

 show yourself, bearing in mind that they are quite 

 capable of turning completely round and going back 

 when within a few yards of you, and that when they 

 have accomplished this you have done with that 

 particular lot for the day. 



The first bird or two that comes by you should 

 spare ; they will probably be greyhens, flushed by the 

 drivers at the start ; but do not despise this warning, 

 as should they come against a bright sky, or should you 

 be unduly keen, you may find that you have incurred 

 the penalty of error. I suppose that no one who 

 has shot black-game has not made this mistake 



