OBSERVATIONS ON THE FOOD OF GROUSE 83 



possible to feed one set of Grouse with clean grain, and another with such 

 stuff as the birds pick up for themselves on the stubbles, there is no doubt 

 that the former would rapidly improve in condition, and the latter go steadily 

 downhill. Such an experiment is not practicable. 



To recapitulate, the following may be given as a fairly accurate account of 

 the monthly dietary of the Red Grouse for the year : — 



January, Calluna shoots (64 per cent.) and Calluna seed - heads 



(27 i^er cent.). 

 February, Calluna shoots (75 per cent.) and the stalks and buds of 



blaeberry and leaves of cowberry. 

 March, Calluna shoots (97 per cent.) and blaeberry stalks and buds. 

 April, Calluna shoots (93 per cent.) and very little besides. 

 May, Calluna shoots (82 per cent.) and rather more "various." 

 June, Calluna shoots (82 per cent.) and "various." 

 July, Calluna shoots (53 per cent.) and an increasing amount of 



" various." 

 August, Calluna shoots (60 per cent.) and some Calluna flowers and 



"various." 

 September, Calluna shoots (63 per cent.) and 16 per cent, of Calluna 



flowers and " various." 

 October, much less (42 per cent.) of Calluna shoots, and nearly 30 per 



cent, of Calluna flowers, and some " various." 

 November, still less (39 per cent.) of Calluna shoots, and 33 per cent, of 



Calluna flowers and seed-heads, and the rest " various." 

 December, a rise in Calluna shoots to 60 per cent., but still 27 per cent, 

 of Calluna seed-heads. 



List of Vegetable Food eaten from Time to Time by the Red Grouse 



Calluna vulgaris, the staple food of Grouse, is known generally as 



Heather. Grouse eat the shoots, flowers, and seed - heads. See 



PI. xxiii., p. 71. 

 Vaccinium myrtillus, Blaeberry, Blueberry, or Blue Whortleberry. 



Grouse eat the stem, buds, flowers, and berries. See PI. xxiv., 



p. 86, Fig. 1. 



