278 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XIX. 



nine proprietors out of ten, notwithstanding the 

 liberal and sometimes exorbitant rents which are 

 paid. There are, however, many exceptions to this 

 state of things ; and landlords are yet to be found 

 who identify the interest of their tenant with their 

 own. 



The rage for grouse-shooting, at present so great, 

 is not likely to change, like many other fashions. 

 The fine air, the freedom, the scenery, and all the 

 other agremens accompanying this amusement, 

 must always make it the most fascinating kind of 

 s})ort in the way of shooting which the British isles 

 or indeed almost any country can afford. The bird, 

 too, in beauty and gamelike appearance, is not to be 

 equalled. In fact as long as grouse and heather 

 exist, and the nature of man is imbued with the 

 same love for sport and manly exercise as it now is, 

 grouse-shooting will be one of our favourite relaxa- 

 tions from the graver cares of life. 



Although, like others, I am excessively fond of 

 this sport, yet I care little for numbers of slain ; 

 and when following it independently and alone, am 

 not occupied solely by the anxiety of bagging so 

 many brace. My usual plan when I set out is to 

 fix on some burn, some cool and grassy spring, or 

 some hill summit which commands a fine view, as 

 the extremity of my day's excursion. To this point 



