CAUSES OF MORTALITY IN THE RED GROUSE 



159 



united again with a little displacement due to overriding of the hinder fragment 

 (see Fig. 6). Clearly this bird was unable to ti.y because the wings from long disuse 

 had become weak, and adhesions about the pectoral muscles probably made the 

 attempt to use them painful. The joints of the legs too were stiif and difficult 

 to straighten, the result of long squatting on the ground amongst wet under- 

 growth. She must have led a sedentary existence for some time, and would 

 probably have died without regaining the power of flight. There can be no 



Fig. 4, No. 12.32. Yit-w of the I'iglit side of Fig. .3. 



Fig. 5, No. 1232. View of tlie left side of Fig. .3. 



doubt that the cause was collision, probably with a wire fence. The organs 

 showed no sign of disease. 



(No. 3.) A Greyhen, weighing 34 ounces, was found dead in good condition ; 

 had been feeding on corn. Examination showed that an old wound had produced 

 extensive bleeding in the abdomen, but so long previously that the clot was 

 semi-organised and formed a series of concentric blood-cysts. A more recent 

 damage had caused extensive bleeding around the base of heart and into the 

 lungs, and this had killed the bird ; but not until several hours had elapsed 

 since the accident, which almost certainly resulted from collision with a fence. 

 There was no sign of disease. 



(No. 4.) A Blackcock, weighing 41 ounces, was found dead on November 1st, 

 partly picked by crows or mice, but in fair condition. It had been feeding on 



