. Game birds and shooting-sketches : illustrating the habits, modes of capture, stages of plumage and the hybirds & varieties which occur amongst them . er the first month of theshooting. They are more easily influenced by changes inthe weather than any of the other game birds. On a wetand stormy day the birds become so unsettled that coveyafter covey can be seen moving off far out of shot, althoughthey have not yet, perhaps, heard the sound of a gun. Acovey that has been moved on a hillside will, in the courseof its retreat, give the warning to all others over which itpasses, and should it no
. Game birds and shooting-sketches : illustrating the habits, modes of capture, stages of plumage and the hybirds & varieties which occur amongst them . er the first month of theshooting. They are more easily influenced by changes inthe weather than any of the other game birds. On a wetand stormy day the birds become so unsettled that coveyafter covey can be seen moving off far out of shot, althoughthey have not yet, perhaps, heard the sound of a gun. Acovey that has been moved on a hillside will, in the courseof its retreat, give the warning to all others over which itpasses, and should it not succeed in taking them with it,will at any rate give them due warning of the danger thatthey know to be approaching and the direction from whichto expect it. The reason is, that on wet days Grouse will GROUSE 123 not remain in the dripping heather, where their plumagel^ecomes wet and heavy, and where the water is forced inunder their feathers by the soaking shoots of ling. Theyconsequently prefer situations where, although more rainfalls on them, it will run off again, and will not adhere orpenetrate to the same extent. Sitting thus in the open. Tllh HIDOhN H\>D (jn bare patches of ground,or on cairns of stones,they naturally have a verymuch better view of thesurrounding country, which, in their unsettled condition ofmind and body, renders them quick to take alarm at theslightest cause. As the season advances, should wet weatherstill continue, these dry and commanding situations soonbecome more and more resorted to, till packs are formedwhich may perhaps remain together through the rest ofthe winter, unless it becomes more rigorous, when it isnot unusual for the whole stock of Grouse on a moor to 124 GAME BIRDS AND SHOOTING-SKETCHES merge into one huge pack. They then leave their and search the low grounds in quest of food. Suchwas almost universal in the winter of 1880-81, which wasprobably one of the most severe winters for the l)irds everknown. The driver o
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjecthunting, bookyear1894
