40 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



From the foregoing figures it will be seen that there is 

 remarkably little difference in the average weight of Grouse 

 from widely different districts, the extent of the variation being 

 only 2 1 ounces in the case of cocks and 1 J ounces in the case of 

 hens. In the specimens weighed the cocks from Scotland showed 

 a slightly higher average weight than those from England, 

 whereas the hens were distinctly lighter. This might have 

 been due to accident, but it is more probable that the birds in 

 England, being earlier, might have reached a more advanced 

 stage in their seasonal variation than in Scotland, and we have 

 seen that in August the cocks have a tendency to drop rapidly 

 in weight, whereas the hens are attaining a comparatively high 

 average which they steadily maintain for a month or more. Had 

 the weights been taken in September the hens from Scotland 

 would probably have shown as high an average as the hens 

 from England ; while the cocks from both countries would 

 have shown a universal drop. 



The foregoing comparisons seem to indicate that Grouse 

 throughout the British Isles are of very uniform weight, and 

 that any fluctuations that may be noted are probably merely 

 temporary variations due to the abundance or shortage of the 

 food supply in a particular district. 



The heaviest cock Grouse which came before the notice of 

 the Committee was one of exactly 30 ounces from Peebles. 



Macdonald, in " Grouse Disease," l says : " The Grouse in 

 Scotland is a larger and finer bird than that met with in England," 

 a remark which the above figures do not altogether uphold. 



Macpherson, in Fur and Feather Series, says : " The cock 

 birds not infrequently weigh 28 or 28 J ounces in the north of 

 England, when in first-rate condition in every respect. Any- 

 thing over 30 ounces is noteworthy, but a weight of 32 ounces 

 is not unprecedented." 



In Yarrell's " British Birds," 3 Red Grouse are said to be 



1 Macdonald, "Grouse Disease," p. 103. 



2 Fur and Feather Series, " The Grouse," p. 64. 



8 Yarrell, " British Birds," vol. iii. p. 77 (edited by Howard Saundcrs). Fourth 

 Edition. London : John Van Voorst, 1882-1884. 



