280 VARIETIES OF GROUSE. 



ous times loading and firing are the great exertion ; 

 in fact, the present system of shooting may be 

 likened to chopping cubs in covert without a 

 gallop. 



In every rural sport give me first the bodily 

 and health-imparting exercise which, bracing, in- 

 vigorating, and purifying of its superfluities the 

 whole corporeal system, gives cheerfulness to the 

 heart and vigour to the frame. 



Of the grouse species we have four varieties — 

 the capercailsie, or great cock of the woods, the 

 black cock, the red or common grouse, and the 

 ptarmigan. The two former resemble the pheasant 

 in the habit of perching on trees ; the red grouse, 

 which are the most numerous, roost like the par- 

 tridge, on the ground, and are found in many 

 counties in England and Wales, as well as Scot- 

 land. The ptarmigan are seldom met with below 

 the Highlands. It is much to be regretted that 

 this magnificent bird, the cock of the woods, 

 which in weight and size so nearly approaches 

 the turkey, should have been allowed to fade 

 away almost out of sight in Scotland, as the bus- 

 tard has in England. For the disappearance of 

 the latter there is at least a good cause,— the 

 spread of cultivation on the downs; but in the 

 sister countrv p;rcater facilities than ever exist for 



