BED GROUSE. 45 



the middle of October, but as soon as a fall of snow happens to take place, so as to cover the 

 ground, these fellows sally forth with a white shirt, or something of the sort, as their 

 outer garment; the birds on these occasions may be seen at a considerable distance, and 

 the poachers contrive to make their appearance resemble, as much as possible, that complexion 

 which the snow has given to the moors and mountains; and being intimately acquainted 

 with what, in place of a more expressive term, may be called the localities of these 

 lofty regions, they are enabled to approach within gunshot, and thus supply the market, 

 at a period when this description of game very easily obtains an increase of price. 

 Severe weather induces the Grouse to pack; but as soon as a mild interval ensues, the 

 males commence the call of courtship. The female will seldom answer the call for some 

 days, or perhaps a week. Here again the poacher sets to work; many of these miners 

 can imitate the voice of the female bird to such perfection, that the cock instantly 

 answers, takes a short flight towards the place whence the invitation seemed to proceed, 

 and calls again. The poacher, concealed by one of the gullies worn by the mountain 

 torrent, or behind a convenient eminence, repeats the note of the female ; the cock continues 

 his approaches till within a dozen yards, when he commences a sort of fantastic manoeuvre, 

 flying or flirting up from the ground two or three yards, and down again; he does not 

 continue long at this work ere he receives his quietus — in the act of endeavouring to 

 exhibit himself to the concealed female, as he supposes, the poor bird loses his life." 



These poachers are very bold and fearless, and will follow their unlawful pursuit in 

 spite of any force of gamekeepers that may be sent after them; we remember once reading 

 of a large party of them besieging the Duke of Norfolk in one of his seats, and requesting 

 (Quere, 'More regali') a day's shooting over his moors, and saying that they would 

 afterwards avoid them, and only visit those of other proprietors. The necessary license 

 having been obtained, they, it is said, faithfully kept to their part of the agreement, 

 and abstained from troubling his moors during the rest of the season. Probably the 

 best method is for the keepers to endeavour to identify any visitors on the moors by 

 means of the telescope, with which every keeper should be supplied, instead of a gun; 

 he might then summon the intruder, without the risk of being shot for executing the 

 duties of his office. 



In addition to the poachers, the Grouse suffer much from their eggs and young becoming 

 the prey of various rapacious birds, among which, as most destructive, the Carrion Crow, 

 (Corvus corone,) stands pre-eminent. The Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Hen Harrier, and 

 Buzzard all commit great depredations on the Moor Game; and they are also preyed 

 upon by wild cats, foxes, and the larger Mustelince. Many eggs are also destroyed by 

 the dogs of those tending sheep, etc., on the moors; and whole broods are also very 

 frequently annihilated by the very destructive system of burning the moors, to render 

 them more suitable pasture grounds, and which is prevalent in many districts, particularly 



