POPULAR SCIENCE 273 



A summary of the food of this bird covering a period of 

 five years shows that 77*5 per cent, of the total food consumed 

 per year is vegetable matter, and 22*5 per cent, animal matter. 

 Of the former, 73 per cent, consists of the leaves, fruits, and 

 seeds of weeds, 1 per cent, of roots and stems, and 1*5 per cent, 

 of grain, the remaining 2 per cent, being of a miscellaneous 

 nature. Of the animal matter, 14 per cent, consists of injurious 

 insects, 1 per cent, of beneficial insects, and 2*5 per cent, of 

 neutral insects, 3 per cent, of earthworms, and 2 per cent, of 

 slugs. 



One might enlarge upon the very exhaustive report of the 

 Grouse Disease Committee upon the nature of the food of this 

 bird, but it is surely patent to every unbiased mind that, what- 

 ever faults may be laid to the charge of this species, none can be 

 advanced against it so far as the nature of its food is concerned. 



The Partridge 



Any one conversant with the habits of the Partridge may 

 be surprised to find that it has been accused of injuring crops. 

 We have watched them during the day foraging in coveys along 

 the hedge-sides, feeding upon various insects, insect larvae, 

 weeds and weed-seeds. On insects this species feeds to a much 

 greater extent than the red grouse, and it is significant that 

 districts where the largest corn crops are produced, and the 

 land is best cultivated, frequently also produce the largest 

 number of these birds. 



Examination of the intestinal and stomach contents over a 

 period of five years show that of the total bulk of food consumed 

 59*5 per cent, is vegetable matter and 40*5 per cent, animal 

 matter. Of the former, 53*5 per cent, consists of leaves, fruits, 

 and seeds of weeds, 3*5 per cent, of grain, and 2 '5 per cent, of 

 miscellaneous vegetable matter. Of the animal matter, 23 per 

 cent, consists of injurious insects, 3 per cent, of beneficial 

 species, 4 per cent, of neutral species, 6*5 per cent, of earth- 

 worms, and 4 per cent, of slugs complete the summary. 



It will be noted, on comparing the totals for the red grouse 

 and the partridge, that this latter bird consumes nearly twice 

 as much animal food as the former, and that the grain content 

 is also slightly higher ; but, for the bulk of their food, both 

 species depend upon the leaves, fruits, and seeds of weeds. 



