THE FRINGE OF THE MOOR' 243 



more than once ; therefore, I advise you, always let 

 the first bird or two pass you before firing, as after 

 they get level with you it is easy to distinguish the 

 cock from the hen. Should you know that there is a 

 large lot of cocks between the guns and the drivers, 

 the first odd birds, whether cocks or hens, should 

 always be allowed to pass without a shot being fired, so 

 that the main body may come on without suspicion of 

 danger. 



This applies when driving woods, but is seldom 

 likely to be rigorously followed, as you will then be 

 probably anxious to secure the mixed bag which 

 the coverts afford. But in driving on the open moor 

 or pastures it is absolutely essential, if you are going 

 for a bag of blackcocks exclusively, to follow these 

 tactics. 



In grouse driving, especially on broken ground, I 

 am in favour of the beaters making some noise, for 

 birds seated in hollows or anywhere out of sight of the 

 flags, having heard the guns ahead and not being con- 

 scious of the presence of the drivers, may rise and 

 turn back. But for black-game driving I recommend 

 absolute silence, as if too much scared they will 

 get high up and leave the ground you are working, 

 often crossing a broad deep valley and alighting on 

 a far-off hill, clean off your day's ground. For black- 



