THE FOOD OF THE RED GROUSE 99 



are white or rose-coloured, and grow on short erect 

 stems, they are not unlike the flower of the Blackberry 

 or Bramble, and its bramble-like fruit is red, turning to 

 orange yellow as it ripens. The leaf and berries are' 

 eaten by Grouse. See PI. xiv., Fig. 5. 



Bell Heather (Erica cinerea), also called Fine-leafed Heath, 

 has leaves three in a whorl ; it grows on dry places and 

 in similar situations to common heather. It flowers 

 in July and August, and the bloom appears before that of 

 the common heather. The flower bells are purple. The 

 taste of the leaves is more bitter than that of common 

 heather. The flower alone is eaten by Grouse, but 

 while it is out it is eaten in fair quantities. See PL xiv., 

 Fig. 7. 



Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), also known as Crakeberry, 

 Singberry or Blackberried Heath, a small prostrate 

 plant with the habits of a heath. The purplish flowers, 

 which appear in May and June, are very small and are 

 placed in the axils of the upper leaves. The ripened 

 berries are black. The top shoots, tight leaf buds, and 

 berries are eaten by Grouse. See PL xv., Fig. 6. 



Cross-leafed Heath (Erica tetralix\ has leaves, four in a 

 whorl, and placed crosswise. It has rose-coloured flowers 

 and grows in similar situations to common heather. 

 Flowers in July and August. The flower-heads are 

 eaten in quantities by the Grouse, but the leaf-shoots 

 are avoided. See PL xv., Fig. 8. 



Dwarf or Creeping Willow (Salix repens), a low, straggling 

 shrub from 2 inches to 1 foot in height. Foliage and 

 young shoots more or less silky white. The plant has 

 small oblong leaves, and bears small catkins in spring, 

 followed by silky seed vessels. Found on sandy ground. 

 Where it occurs the leaves and young shoots are greedily 

 eaten by Grouse. 



Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale], also known as Sweet Gale, an 

 erect shrub, 2 or 3 feet high, fragrant when rubbed* 



