THE MOOR 161 



and take care of themselves, they should be at once 

 moved to different parts of the moor, where they will 

 soon become acclimatised. If left too long on the 

 ground where they have been reared, they will continue 

 packed there, in a semi-domesticated state, and refuse 

 to move. The sooner they mix with the wild birds 

 the better. It is absolutely necessary not only in the 

 rearing of grouse, but of all other young birds, that they 

 have a fresh supply of clean water several times a day, 

 and that all dishes and utensils should be absolutely 

 clean, otherwise they will be subject to contract disease. 

 No food should be put inside the coops on any account, 

 as it soon gets contaminated, and deaths follow. (See 

 Artificial Rearing.) Another method is the exchange 

 of coveys with moors eight or ten miles off. This 

 method, however, is not to be recommended, as it sets 

 a bad example to the countryside, and may lead to 

 poaching. In July, when the coveys are fairly strong, 

 the keeper should take a steady pointer (on a hot day 

 when the birds will lie close), and, having located the 

 covey, should throw a net over same. Carefully catch 

 all the birds in the covey, and transport them in a 

 basket, laying them down on a part of the moor, which, 

 if it be at all possible, should not be shot over that year. 

 Birds were transported from Ronachan in Argyllshire 

 to Jura in this way with success some years ago. To 

 all these methods, however, the ordinary keeper is 

 averse on the score of trouble. He prefers to muddle 



along, and content himself with the consolation, with- 

 ii 



