The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the FieldTaplin, William
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The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field
Taplin, William
Hunting -- Dictionaries; Sports -- Dictionaries
bird going off directly _across him_. The right hand man and the left
should take invariably birds on their own distinct sides; but when they
go off in a _direct line_, circumstances and proceedings must be
regulated accordingly.
GROUSE SHOOTING differs but little from the preceding, excepting its
being more laborious, and taking place in the hotter months, and in the
more hilly or mountainous countries. This species of game is not
universally dispersed, like the partridge, over the face of the kingdom,
but a native inhabitant of some particular district in wild, remote, or
peculiar situations. They were some few years since to be plentifully
seen in many parts of WALES, and in the NEW FOREST of HAMPSHIRE; but
they are now very much reduced, and rarely to be found; at least not in
sufficient numbers to render it a sport worth pursuing. In the northern
counties bordering upon the Tweed, and in various parts of Scotland,
they are so numerous, that many of the most opulent and eager sportsmen
make very long and expensive journies, to satiate themselves, and weary
their dogs, with an unrestrained and unlimited profusion of sport. The
grouse is larger than the partridge, and, when full grown, weighs from
twenty to two-and-twenty ounces. The plumage is variegated, and
beautifully composed of black, red, and white; the tail being similar to
that of the partridge, but a little larger when extended in flight.
The GROUSE perseveringly adhere to those mountains and moors which are
covered with heath, seldom or ever descending into the lower grounds.
They fly in _packs_, consisting of four or five brace; and indulge upon
intervening tracts of soft mossy ground, particularly in the hotter
months of the year. The cackling noise of the cock may be heard at a
considerable distance; and when once the dog makes his point, he is
commonly the first bird upon wing. Upon the POINTER'S being first
observed to _stand_, it is instantly necessary to keep the eye forward;
for if the birds are perceived to _erect_ their heads, and _run_, it is
considered an infallible sign they will _not lie well_ during that day;
in which case there is no alternative, but to head the dog, and, if
possible, keep pace with them, so as to be within shot when they rise;
if which advantage is not taken, many a long and laborious day may be
undertaken without the consolation of a single bird. As the time for
this sport commences in the sultry season, and generally in parts of the
country remote from expeditious means of conveyance, they do not very
frequently reach the Metropolis; at least in such a recent state as to
be perfectly attracting: they are (particularly if not killed remarkably
clean) very soon disposed to _putridity_; and if required or intended to
be sent to any great distance, they should be drawn as soon as
convenient after they are shot, and the vacuum filled up with fine heath
or herbage for the journey.
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