74 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



shown by the increase of "various" to 27 per cent. The unexpected increase 

 in the consumption of brown winter heather is puzzling, but might be accounted 

 for by an abnormal period of cold weather or blighting wind causing a " set 

 back" in the new growth, and driving the birds to feed more largely on 

 the old shoots. This view is supported by the fact that the birds have also 



eaten an abnormal quantity of blaeberry stalks and leaves, whereas 

 tionai char- in the following month, when the heather has presumably recovered 

 July from its temporary blight, the consumption of brown winter heather 



and blaeberry leaves and stalks drops at once from 47 per cent, 

 to 1 per cent. The figures for July shown in the Table are probably excep- 

 tional, and do not represent the normal proportion of foods eaten in that 

 month ; but they are interesting as showing the elastic manner in which the 

 Grouse can adapt himself to varying conditions. 



In August the figures for the consumption of heather appear to have 

 become normal, and the fact that this is the great berry month of the year 



is shown by the increase of "various" to 34 per cent., the larg;est 

 In August. . -^ . ... 



amount in any month. Berry feeding is, of course, irregular, for berries 



only grow in certain localities, their consumption cannot therefore be gauged 



by the examination of specimens obtained from moors where no berries 



Berries- •' _ _ 



are obtainable. Berries are not an essential item in the diet of the 

 Grouse ; but it is well known that where they are to be obtained Grouse will 

 flock to them in large numbers, often deserting the heather altogether for a while, 

 and congregating in vast packs upon the berry ground. The blaeberry fruit 

 does not as a rule grow in such profusion as that of the clusterberry or Scotti.sh 

 cranberry, and does not seem to be so attractive to the Grouse, though its 

 leaf and bud are much more generally eaten at all times of the year. 



The August figures are interesting as showing the fii'st indication of heather 



blossom in the diet. First in the bud, afterwards in full bloom, and lastly in 



the form of fully ripened seed, the flower of the heather is an 



Heather . . "^ ^ „ 



flowers important item of food. There is an old saying that when the "stoor 



{i.e., pollen dust) is on the heather in August a good Grouse season is 

 sure to follow, and the experience of the Committee tends to confirm this belief. 

 In a year when the bloom is early and luxuriant the pollen rises in clouds when 

 disturbed, covering boots and gaiters with a soft yellowish dust, and sometimes 

 even interfering with the breathing of the dogs. This condition is usually 

 followed by a fine harvest of well-ripened heather seed, and the importance 



