100 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



It has long, narrowish pointed leaves, slightly toothed 

 near the tip, and often downy beneath. It bears small 

 catkins before the leaves are out. Always found in 

 boggy places. Grouse eat the buds in winter and early 

 spring, but sparely. 



Cotton Grass (Eriophorum), also called Cottonsedge, two or 

 three species of similar habit. A rush-like plant, bearing 

 in summer, after the flowering period, conspicuous, 

 white, cottony tufts, either solitary or in clusters of two 

 or three or more. Grouse are very greedy for the flower 

 of this plant in spring, and the tender shoots are also 

 said to be useful when they first appear. The plant is 

 then known by gamekeepers as " Blackhead " or " Moss- 

 crop." It is found in marshy ground. 



Sorrel (Rumex acetosella), Common Red or " Sheep " Sorrel. 

 A slender plant, from 3 or 4 inches to 1 foot high, often 

 turning red. It has long, more or less arrow-shaped 

 leaves, very acid to the taste. The red-tinged green 

 flowers are in terminal clusters on an erect stem, and 

 are seen from spring to autumn. The plant grows in 

 dry pastures, and on open heaths. The seeds are 

 greedily eaten by Grouse. 



Heath Rush (Juncus squarrosus), a small rush about a foot 

 high, growing in drier situations than most rushes. 

 The flower and seed-heads are very freely eaten by Grouse. 



Field Wood Rush (Luzula campestris), a small rush with 

 soft, flat, grass-like leaves, fringed with silky hairs. It 

 grows in dry places. The flower- and seed-heads are 

 eaten by Grouse. 



The following additional list of plants, upon which Grouse 

 are said to feed, is given in a pamphlet on " The Improvement 

 of Grouse Moors," by the Rev. E. A. Woodruff c Peacock, 

 who has examined the contents of many crops and gizzards of 

 the Grouse. 



Tormentil (Potentilla tormentilla). 



Suckling Clover (Trifolium minus)* 



