24 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



on a warm bank or slab of rock often resting with one wing 

 extended. 



The practice of " becking " has been thus described in a 

 note by Mr Alston in Dresser's " Birds of Europe " : l " Early 

 on frosty mornings the cocks are fond of perching on a knowe 

 or hillock and uttering their clear-ringing er-eck, kek-kek ! wuk, 

 wuk 9 wuk. At such times they may often be seen to rise 

 perpendicularly in the air to a height of several feet, and then 

 drop again on the same spot." " Becking " is fully described 

 by the Rev. H. A. Macpherson in the Fur and Feather Series, 

 where it is pointed out that the practice is in the nature of 

 an amorous demonstration by the cock Grouse with the object 

 of attracting his mate, 2 and it may be compared to the peculiar 

 antics adopted by the Blackcock and Capercailzie from a similar 

 motive. " Becking," however, is not confined to the breeding 

 season, indeed it is more usual during the autumn and winter 

 months than in the spring. Mr Macpherson describes in a 

 most interesting chapter the manner in which Grouse may be 

 shot by taking advantage of this peculiar habit. 



Grouse, when fully grown, do not pass* the night huddled 

 together like Partridges, but " jug " singly amongst the heather, 

 taking care not to be far apart. From the traces left in time 

 of snow it is found that they usually lie about a foot or two 

 apart, so that a pack of a hundred may be contained within 

 an area of a dozen square yards. 



In the words of a Highland gamekeeper : " Grouse glory 

 in their ' hardiness,' " and it is almost incredible how little 

 they are affected by wet, cold, and snow. It may indeed be 

 said that so far as the adult Grouse is concerned it matters 

 not what the weather is so long as his food supply is not affected. 

 They will never desert high ground for low ground merely on 

 account of a heavy fall of snow, provided that there is sufficient 

 wind to keep the exposed ridges clear, and thus give access 

 to the heather ; and even if the whole moor should be covered 



1 " Birds of Europe," vol. vii. p. 168. 



2 Fur and Feather Series, "The Grouse," pp. 65-72. 



