156 THE KEEPER'S BOOK 



a little care their disappearance is only a matter of 

 time ; their presence denotes a careless keeper. 



3. The Elimination of Vermin. This subject is 

 dealt with in a special chapter by Mr. Tom Speedy, 

 than whom no one can speak with greater authority. 



4. The Suppression of Poachers. The laws in 

 regard to poaching must be carefully remembered. 

 They are summarised in Chapter V. The greatest care 

 must be observed at two seasons : first, at the nesting 

 season and for some time afterwards; and, secondly, just 

 before the Twelfth, when marauders are apt to be abroad 

 to procure an early supply of grouse for the market. 



It is most essential that the moor be kept quiet and 

 free from trespassers from I5th April, when the birds 

 begin to lay, until the time when young birds are able to 

 fly. The keeper himself should have all his work on the 

 moor done by the time the birds are laying, and should 

 not cross it more than necessary, and never with dogs. 



5. Feeding of the Birds in Hard Weather. The 

 stock of grouse on a moor depends to a great extent 

 on the supply of food. In addition to plenty of young 

 heather, grouse are very fond of blaeberries (bil- 

 berries) ; these should be encouraged to grow, and roots 

 from woods and rough ground lifted and planted at 

 intervals on the moor. Women and children should 

 be prevented gathering the ripe berries on the moor. 

 The artificial feeding of the birds in hard weather is 

 a question that is not only considered as unimportant, 

 but from what experience has taught us, seems a point 



