1 68 THE KEEPERS BOOK 



hours, accompanied by a dog, to the trail made by the 

 flock, and have found both eggs and young game in 

 large numbers trampled and destroyed. In the second 

 week of June a similar course of congregating is 

 adopted, for the purpose of clipping the old stock. 

 Again, in the beginning of July, gathering is unavoid- 

 able for clipping the milk ewes." During these re- 

 peated operations the sheep are generally driven over 

 the same route to the fanks. We strongly advise 

 keeping the heather short on the route, so as to 

 facilitate the progress of the lambs. The shepherds 

 will always select this way, and thus be a cause of 

 saving many birds. This is a point the shepherd 

 should be consulted upon. 



Damage is often done by cattle lying down on nests, 

 and we have known the eggs of both grouse and black 

 game destroyed in this manner. 



10. Improvement of the Feeding-Ground of the 

 Birds by Introduction of Grit and Lime. Grit is an 

 essential and important part of the food of the grouse. 

 It can be obtained by the birds in usually small 

 quantities by the sides of streams and on other water- 

 courses, but it will be found to the advantage of the 

 moor, and the trouble will be fully repaid by the results, 

 if a few sacks of lime and pounded shells be taken on 

 to the moor every spring and deposited in suitable 

 places. 



1 1 . The Removal and Burning of all Dead Matter, 

 such as dead grouse, dead crows, dead vermin of all 



