1 88 THE KEEPERS BOOK 



(a) Delay in killing till the birds are in full plumage 

 and capable of good flight, i.e. black game, except old 

 cocks, should never be shot till the middle or beginning 

 of September. 



(d) Absence of vermin and plenty of rough ground. 



(c) Judicious burning of heather and furze on the 

 fringe of the moor. 



(d) The neighbourhood of corn and turnip crop to 

 the black-game ground. 



(e) Killing of old cocks, as discussed when we were 

 dealing with grouse. 



(/) A limitation of number of grey hens to be 

 killed. 



With regard to the time for killing black game, we 

 think the keeper is perfectly justified in indicating to 

 the ignorant or the very young sportsman the fact that 

 it is a recognised rule, despite the present unsatisfactory 

 state of the official close time, to leave young black game 

 entirely alone in August and the beginning of September. 

 If a young blackcock gets up in August and trundles 

 slowly away in front of the guns, the keeper should call 

 out, " Ware blackcock," or simply, " Blackcock, sir." 

 In the latter case, the tone of the voice indicates the fact 

 that of course the guns understand that the bird is not 

 to be killed. 



As to the killing of old cocks, the keeper will recall 

 what we have said about grouse. The old blackcock 

 is equally as tyrannical and disturbing as the old cock 

 grouse. No chance should be missed of killing the old 



