48 RED GROUSE. 



they materially assisted each other. My friend and myself were, with only one exception, 

 able to contend against the heat and fatigue, but how was this brought about? By the 

 severe training we had imposed upon ourselves. Both our dogs and ourselves were in 

 excellent working condition. I make it a point, when about to undertake a season of 

 Grouse shooting, to walk for several hours a day, for at least a fortnight before I commence 

 operations. I load my jacket pockets with dead weight, about ten pounds of shot in 

 each; by this plan I become accustomed to the weight, and consequently do not feel it 

 when they are crammed with birds. 



Grouse shooters are, of course, aware that flags are planted on the ridges of the hills, 

 or any eminences, to point out where the springs are, in order that both sportsmen and 

 dogs may enjoy the necessary refreshment. Many were the unhappy objects we beheld 

 on the day I am recounting, who were dead beat before twelve o'clock in the day, 

 and the dogs were in an equally lamentable state with their owners; and even the few 

 who had pluck enough to persevere after their temporary rest, did little more than 

 frighten the birds; for the dogs, for the want of common foresight and precaution, not 

 having been exercised, were fairly knocked up, and could not be prevailed upon to leave 



the heels of their negligent masters, in spite of all the d s, and "hie up's," and 



"hie, away, Carlo's," bellowed vociferously by the owner: all the rating, kicking, and 

 swearing were of no avail, and nothing was effected, save disturbing the birds. My St. 

 James' friend cut a lamentable figure, and was not a little jealous of the manifest advantage 

 we maintained during that and every succeeding clay. He had a smattering of Shakspere, 

 and ever and anon indulged in a quotation, and was more than once heard to "Curse 

 the fate that gave him to the moor." For Grouse shooting I prefer setters to pointers; 

 they are more easily distinguished among the long heather, and are capable of enduring 

 greater fatigue, by reason of their high courage." 



The following remarks on Grouse shooting, by Mr. St. John, are penned from a feeling, 

 which it would be well were it more frequently exhibited by sportsmen, who, if they do 

 not combine an admiration of the beauties of nature with their love of sporting, lose 

 more than half the true enjoyment of a day on the moors: — "Although, like others, I 

 am excessively fond of this sport, yet I care little for numbers 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 then I walk, killing what birds come in my way, and after 

 resting myself and dogs, I return by some other route. Undoubtedly the way to kill 

 the greatest number of Grouse is to hunt one certain tract of ground closely and 

 determinedly, searching every spot, as if you were looking for a lost needle, and not 

 leaving a yard of heather untried. This is the most killing system, as every practised 



