BLACK GROUSL. 
TETRAO TETltlX. 
In England I have met with these fine birds only in one or two of the Sussex forests ; they arc, however, 
still to be found in several counties from north to south. To observe Black Grouse in their true home in 
the British Islands one must cross the Tweed and visit the rocky glens of the Highlands. 
Though Black-Game shooting does not commence till the 20th of August, a few cheepers now and then 
fall to the lot of inexperienced sportsmen before that date, no little practice being needed to distinguish at 
the first glance the immature of this species from Grouse. The young birds are in most instances exceedingly 
disinclined to get on wing, and frequently rising one or two at a time, offer the easiest possible shots ; unless 
in outlying districts, it is injudicious to tax the juveniles heavily at this season, as during the latter end of 
autumn and winter Black Game may be depended upon to give excellent sport to those who are not afraid 
of hard work ; to kill them down in their infancy can only ho compared to farmyard slaughter. A 
short and condensed extract from my game-hook for 1807 will show how rapidly a bag of young birds, even 
when strong and well-grown, may he made in early autumn. Being anxious on one occasion during the 
last week in August to obtain some game by a certain hour in the day to forward to friends, I determined, 
as there was little spare time, to try some small corries near the back of a stunted wood of birch 
and alder where both Grouse and Black Game were frequently found. On emerging from the eover 
and facing a steep hrac, Masco and Minnie (a brace of steady setters) were loosed ; I then climbed to 
the top of a low ridge to keep the dogs in view, the course we were following being for some three or 
four hundred yards exceedingly rough, owing to the inequalities in the ground and tlie straggling patches 
of rank heather intermixed with coarse grass and rushes. One of the setters having followed the line 
I took, crossed the ridge into the next gully, and on reaching some open ground free from rocks and stones, 
where heather, jumper, and other plants grew thickly, he immediately came to a dead stop. Tlie next moment 
a wave of the hand from the keeper in the hollow I had left indicated that Minnie, though out of sight in 
the dense cover, had also settled to a point. To this call I was unable to give immediate attention, so, followed 
by a gillie with a second gun, I scrambled down the bank and made my way towards the spot where the 
infallible Masco, standing rigid as a statue, was evidently close upon his birds. The instant the low ground 
was reached a full-grown and vigorous young bird rose at our feet, and in due course paid the penalty • havino- 
succeeded in inserting a fresh cartridge, the old Greyhen and another youngster fluttered out at a fa’ir ran<>-e 
and were immediately disposed of. Another brace next made off in company, and just sufficient time liavinn- 
elapsed to exchange guns with the loader, suffered in consequence, both being struck by the first harrer 
one dropping dead as a stone, and tlie other skimming off with extended pinions and needing the cliai-e of the 
second barrel in order to avoid the loss of time incurred by watching and marking a distant \ll. A 
momentary check ensued ; then the setter drawing cautiously forward, it was evident that game was still ahead 
an a few yards further on a single bird, rapidly followed by another, sprung almost below the old dog’s nose’ 
