40 RED GROUSE. 



it is therefore somewhat singular that so delicious a bird should have been omitted at 

 the celebrated feast given by Archbishop Neville; but neither it nor the Black Grouse 

 appear in the list of the dainties which were served up at that sumptuous entertainment. 

 As it is by no means an uncommon thing, particularly early in the season, for Grouse 

 to be received, at a distance from the moors, in such a state of decomposition as to be 

 quite unfit for culinary purposes, it will not be out of place here, we trust, to give 

 one or two hints which, if acted on, might frequently prevent the disappointment both 

 of the sender and the receiver of game. We will first give the following from Daniel's 

 "Rural Sports," and then add one or two of our own which we have found most useful: — 

 Mr. Daniel says, "The Grouse soon becomes putrid; they should, when shot, be immediately 

 drawn A r ery clean, and stuffed with heather: should the plumage be bit or torn by the 

 dogs, it must be wiped as dry as possible, when put into the game-bag; and before 

 packing to be forwarded to any distance, they should be again wiped, and laid within 

 the moderate heat of a fire, to render them more perfectly dry. The best mode of 

 packing is to put them in boxes, with partitions; a single bird, or, at most, a brace 

 in each partition." 



We believe that it is a decided improvement upon this plan to wrap the birds, after 

 they are well dried, in a cloth wrung out in vinegar, the antiseptic properties of which 

 are such as to preserve the birds perfectly fresh and sweet for a much longer period 

 than they would continue without it. For ourselves, too, Ave should prefer our birds 

 undrawn. The last recommendation, of keeping the birds from pressing upon each other, 

 is very judicious, and in long journeys quite necessary, though the modern rapidity of 

 transit by railway, to a great extent, obviates the necessity of such precautions. However, 

 with every care, Grouse will sometimes be received in a state too far advanced even for 

 those who like their game high. This condition is by no means irremediable, and for 

 the comfort of those who Avish to presence the atmosphere of their dining-room in a 

 wholesome and agreeable state, Ave will relate the steps Ave once recommended a lady 

 friend of ours to take, who had received a hamper of Grouse in anything but a sweet 

 condition. It so happened that she was expecting a large aldermanic party to dine at 

 her house in about ten days after the receipt of the Grouse, and she Avas regretting 

 that her friends had not delayed sending the basket for that period. We told her Ave 

 would undertake that the birds should be in a fit state for her party if she Avould 

 follow our directions. These Avere to have the birds plucked, and then well Avashed all 

 over with strong vinegar, and while still Avet Avith it, to be dusted over with poAvdered 

 charcoal, and then hung up in a cool dry place by the legs, the birds to be well Avashed 

 in milk before being roasted. This advice was carefully attended to, and, being aftenvards 

 present at the party, we had the satisfaction of hearing one of the aldermen, noted for 

 his taste in such matters, declare that they Avere by far the best Grouse he had 



