BIRD-LIFE ON THE MOOES IN OCTOBER. 101 



During the latter half of October, a marked change be- 

 comes observable in the habits of the strong and wild 

 descriptions of hill-game. The Grouse, which during Sep- 

 tember have been congregated high out on the hills in big, 

 shifty, inaccessible packs, cowering, vigilant but invisible, 

 among the heather, now disperse into small congeries of a 

 couple to half a dozen birds, which sit boldly conspicuous on 

 open "white ground" and bare knowes. At the end of 

 October one no longer expects to get point shots at 

 young Blackcocks, and, as already mentioned, the Mallards 

 (the drakes having acquired their chestnut breasts, and 

 rapidly assuming their glossy green heads) appear freely on 

 open waters, instead of skulking in shelter. In short, all 

 the strong wild birds, which are now attaining their full 

 feather and beauty, begin to show more boldly. They no 

 longer seek a delusive security in concealment. Such 

 habits were natural enough with half-grown, half-plumaged 

 poults early in the season, or ragged, moulting old birds ; 

 but now, with increasing strength, their former devices are 

 thrown aside, and they sit bare and conspicuous on hillock, 

 knowe, or lough, confident in their keen instinct of self- 

 preservation and in their powers of wing and eye to keep 

 themselves out of harm's way. Different tactics must now 

 be adopted to secure them from those which in August were 

 wont to fill the bag. Dogs are no longer any use except to 

 find dead, for in Northumberland or Durham Grouse could 

 as easily be secured by a process of habeas corpus as over 

 dogs at this season. 



Grouse towards the end of October become very noisy, 

 especially just after their " morning flight," which takes 

 place at, and even before, the break of day. At that hour, 

 just as the first streak of dawn appears over the eastern hills, 

 they commence their matutinal movements ; and on a bright 

 frosty October morning it is delightful to hear the "concert" 

 they keep up. From every hillside and heathery knowe ring 

 out sharply their clear loud notes, often before it is light 

 enough to see, and with a variety of intonation which is 

 surprising, and, I may add, most exhilarating to a 

 sportsman's ear. 



