162 



SHORT STALKS 



dwarf birch on the adjoining fjekl. In the densest groves 

 of spruce a rapid scuttling of wings will indicate the 

 presence of a covey of hjerpe or hazel-grouse, the smallest, 

 and, perhaps, the handsomest of the grouse tribe, and, as 

 some think, the best eating. They only Hy up into the 

 adjoining spruce, where the brown bars of the breast, so 



THE CAVEHCAILZIE. 



conspicuous when the bird is handled, harmonise perfectly 

 with the twigs. On the bogs the doul;)le snipe, of slow 

 and heavy flight, and other long-shanks, give a charming 

 variety to the bag. 



Tn the olden time the elk appears to have been hunted 

 both by stratagem and with the assistance of dogs, for, 

 in the Gentleman\'i Reci^eation we read that when the 

 hunters " have found the trees whereunto they lean, they 

 so cut and saw them that, when the elk cometli, he over- 

 throweth the tree and falleth with it, and being not able 

 to rise is so taken alive. When thev are chased ea2;erlv 

 and can find no place to rest tliemselves and lie secret, 

 tliey run to the waters and therein stand, taking up 



