22 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



While in the majority of cases the birds appear to be wild 

 in proportion to their growth, this does not seem to be the only 

 factor in the case, for in some districts on the west coast, notably 

 in Skye, Grouse will sit close throughout the shooting season. 

 It has been said that the reason for this is that in the districts 

 in question birds of prey survive in larger numbers than else- 

 where, and that the Grouse has not lost its instinct to sit 

 close when in danger of attack by its natural enemies. This 

 may be true, but is not altogether convincing, for it is well 

 known that to sit close is no protection against the Eagle, 

 though it may be against the Falcon. The Grouse instinctively 

 knows this, and the appearance of an Eagle, or even a Heron, 

 is the signal for all those on the alert to fly in terror to some 

 distant place of safety. 



Feeding Grouse feed off and on throughout the day ; but it is only 



in the evening that the crop retains the food which is then 

 required for use during the night. 



It is often stated that Grouse feed only in the evening, 

 but the observations of the Committee make it quite clear 

 that this is not the case though it is true that at midday 

 the Grouse appear to feed less, and towards evening far 

 more than at any other time. Midday is given up to rest, 

 and, in summer, to shelter from the heat of the sun, and the 

 evening is devoted to the complete filling of the crop with food 

 for digestion during the night. Colquhoun in " The Moor and 

 the Loch " refers to this habit as follows : " In sultry weather 

 they lie quite still except at feeding time, and not having 

 stirred perhaps for hours the dogs may come within a yard or 

 two before winding them." l 



In the early part of the day and at dusk Grouse are found 



looking for grit on the rough moor roads and tracks, or along 



the burn-sides, where every fresh spate washes down a new 



supply. 



Grit. The attraction presented to the Grouse by a suitable supply 



1 Colquhoun, "The Moor and the Loch," p. 184. Sixth Edition. Edinburgh, 

 William Blackwood & Sons, 1884. 



