j ~< s THE SHOOTKR S GUIDK. 



morning flight, which is the proper time to begin the 

 day's diversion : from that time till the extreme heat 

 of the day comes on (which is generally towards twelve 

 o'clock) good sport may be obtained ; as also from 

 three till sun-set. Should the sportsman, however, 

 be inclined to beat for game in the dead time of the 

 day (which is from about half past eleven till three) 

 let him be careful to hunt all the deep roots he meets 

 with, as grouse frequently creep in these to shelter 

 themselves from the excessive heat of the sun; at 

 this time, also, they may frequently be found in mossy 

 places. 



In this diversion, be careful to give your dogs the 

 wind, and also to try the sides of the mountains which 

 are most sheltered : if it blows hard, you will be cer- 

 tain to find the birds where the heath is longest; and 

 when this unfortunately happens to be the case, grouse 

 generally take long flights, and these, too, are for the 

 most part down* the wind, which is the very reverse 

 of what most other fowls are known to do. There 

 are other disagreeable circumstances attending a high 

 wind, such as a difficulty in keeping the fowling- 

 piece steady, the flash of the pan blowing into the 

 shooter's fece; it also makes the eyes water, and ren- 

 ders walking very irksome. 



On finding a pack of grouse, the old cock is gene- 

 rally the first that makes his appearance, and the first 

 to take wing: if he has not been much disturbed, he 



* That is, not against the wind. 



