THE GROUSE. 131 



will frequently be some way in on the mountains. 

 They lie as close as they can to stubble fields, where 

 they frequently feed. They perch occasionally on 

 rails and trees, and in this situation will often suffer 

 the sportsman to approach within gun-shot. The 

 cock weighs about four pounds, and is much larger 

 than the hen. When served up to table, the flesh on 

 the breast is brown for a quarter of an inch, and be- 

 neath delicately white. 



As it frequently happens that grouse are sent to 

 great distances after being killed, and in hot weather 

 too, it is with great difficulty they are kept sweet. 

 Thornhill advises the following method for this pur- 

 pose, and asserts that it is the best hitherto discovered; 

 I shall give it in this gentleman's own language: " If 

 you wish to send your game to any distance, never 

 draw it, particularly a grouse, that is, do not follow the 

 usual directions of taking out the entrails. The best 

 mode is not to pack them till they are perfectly dry : 

 first of all procure bladders, and put a brace or more 

 in one, if the bladder will contain them ; tie the blad- 

 der tight round the neck, and seal it with sealing-wax 

 to prevent the air from getting in : and in that state, 

 if they are put into boxes, they will keep for three 

 weeks if required." This may be a good method, 

 and I am inclined to believe it is ; but the method 

 used by many is that of putting a little heath in the 

 bottom of the box, and wrapping the birds separately 

 in paper, and this too without having them drawn. 



