234 EVILS OF SHOOTING IN WET WEATHER 



form some idea of what stock I had for the season 

 without running too far into my heat. The droppings 

 of grouse are often a good guide as to the stock which 

 there may be on the ground. 



To shoot grouse in wet weather is very injurious to 

 all parties concerned. It is bad for dogs, bad for 

 birds, to say nothing of one's own self, one's gun and 

 ammunition. In wet weather birds cannot squat, but 

 sit up, and so can see the whole array of men and dogs, 

 and it takes them a long time to forget being disturbed 

 on such occasions. It is hopeless to expect to get 

 anything like sport, for the birds won't run in the wet 

 and get up out of shot. Those which can do so 

 collect together under the lea of hillocks, scaurs, and 

 ravines. It is, as I have said, very unwise to shoot 

 on such days ; but if men will go out, unless they 

 possess some considerable experience in the ways and 

 habits of grouse, they may, for all the sport they are 

 likely to get, just as well stay at home. 



In boisterous, windy weather, in order to secure 

 grouse, some considerable knowledge as to how to set 

 to work is requisite ; for every hole and corner must 

 be tried^ — wherever shelter offers birds must be sought 

 for ; and care must be taken as to how they are 

 approached, for every bird in the pack is sure to be on 

 the look-out. It becomes a matter for careful stalking ; 

 nor is it reducing things to too great a nicety when I 

 would recommend the sportsman, on such occasions as 

 these, to pay due regard to the colour of his clothes, 

 for attention to this will serve to allow of his nearer 

 approach to the birds by at least some ten yards. He 

 will have to take advantage of every hollow in the 

 ground, and, advancing from the lower portions, walk 



