RED GROUSE, 819 



those of the eastern parts of Scotland, which are, however, of 

 hxrge size, and dark in colour. I have been favoured with 

 the weight of four male and two female Red Grouse from 

 Morayshire, not selected because considered as particularly 

 large, but it happens to be a practice with the keeper. The 

 four males weighed respectively 24 f ounces, 24 f ounces, 24^ 

 ounces, and 24 ounces, thus averaging 24^ ounces. Of the 

 two females, one weighed 24j ounces, the other 23:j ounces; 

 and in this locality the birds are very dark in colour. 



In further reference to colour, Mr. Selby, residing in 

 Northumberland, observes, that " varieties of a cream colour, 

 or •with different degrees of white, are often met with ; and 

 there has for many years existed on the mioors of Blanchland, 

 in the county of Durham, a cream coloured, or light grey 

 variety, spotted more or less with dark brown and black ; 

 but from the anxiety of sportsmen to procure specimens, these 

 birds have not been allowed to increase, as they otherwise, in 

 all probability, would have done." 



The Red Grouse of Yorkshire are said to be the smallest 

 in size ; and this difference is most observable when the birds 

 are picked and trussed for roasting ; yet Daniel, in his Rural 

 Sports, records one that was killed near Richmond in York- 

 shire, which weighed twenty-five ounces ; and Pennant, in a 

 note, mentions that he had heard of one killed in Yorkshire 

 which weighed twenty-nine ounces. 



The Red Grouse is found in Lancashire and Derbyshire, 

 and as far south as the heaths of Staffordshire. Montagu 

 mentions one instance " of this bird being found at a distance 

 from the moors. This was a female, taken alive near Wed- 

 hampton in Wiltshire, in the winter of 1794 ; the occurrence 

 was communicated to him by Edward Poore, Esq. who 

 showed him part of the bird. By what unaccountable acci- 

 dent," Montagu observes, " it should have been driven to so 

 o-reat a distance from its native moors is difficult to be 



