Northern Observations of Inland Birds 287 



line, it is rather surprising that grouse farming has not 

 been more extensively practised. 



During the nesting season, the cock grouse are most 

 pugnacious, and will fight with the utmost valour in 

 defence of their young. Once in Ross-shire I surprised 

 a pair of cock grouse which were going at each other 

 hammer and tongs. I walked almost on top of them in 

 a moss-hag, but so intent were they that they did not 

 notice me as I stood only a few feet away, watching the 

 strange encounter. Their actions were very curious. 

 Approaching each other broadside on, they would strike 

 simultaneously with their wings, then leap into the air 

 using their clawed and feathered feet with deadly intent. 

 Throughout the encounter they uttered continuously a 

 soft hissing noise, similar to that uttered by geese. 



Eventually one of the two knocked the other over. 

 The bird lay still on its side, quite dazed, for several 

 seconds, while the victor crowed triumphantly. Thinking 

 the vanquished one to be seriously injured, I approached 

 with a view of rendering first aid, but the bird rose im- 

 mediately, and flew off, hotly pursued by the hero of the 

 fray. 



During the process of incubation the male bird 

 strongly resents the approach of any other grouse on the 

 defined area which he considers his own. Should another 

 grouse alight there, he will attack it immediately and 

 drive it off. Where there is a superfluity of male birds, 

 the old unmated ones are a source of endless annoyance 

 to the breeding birds ; also they harass the young birds 

 by driving them from place to place, and for this reason 

 it is advisable during the shooting season to shoot off 

 as many old cocks as possible. 



The recognizing of the old male birds is not so easy 

 as some sportsmen make out, and I venture to assert 

 that as the season progresses it is impossible for anyone 



