260 BLACK-GAME SHOOTING 



down the burns, I have Httle doubt, all tend to miHtate 

 against the well-being of grouse. 



Blackcock offer but little or no sport until they are 

 fully fledged in October or November. In fact, one 

 might as well shoot at a barn-door fowl for all the 

 sport which such shooting affords before the birds are 

 full-grown and strong, and then they are handsome, 

 and worthy of some trouble being taken to secure 

 them ; and no bird, when fully matured, takes much 

 more stopping than a blackcock. There are number- 

 less means of approaching wild grouse or partridges ; 

 but a November blackcock is as wary a?] a curlew, and 

 they are not easily driven unless the lie of the ground 

 happens to suit their line of flight, which is generally 

 along the burns to the birch-woods, when they are 

 driven off the hills. When driving them, the best 

 position for the guns is in any hollows there may be 

 in their line of flight when making for the birch- 

 woods ; but not too near the coverts, as a second or 

 even a third drive may be obtained at times, if the 

 guns are placed well outside the wood in the open. 

 After the first beat, the guns should be placed in or 

 outside the wood, according to the size and shape of 

 the latter, and as quietly as possible, and the beaters 

 should drive from the far end first, and put the birds 

 back over the guns, which should be placed, where 

 practicable, in a pass about the middle of the wood, so 

 as to leave a third beat, viz., the near half, which can 

 be taken back again to the farthest end. Should 

 the birds light again at this end, they can be again 

 driven as before, if the guns are not too much ex- 

 posed. By this means a good bag may often be put 

 together. 



