CAUSES OF MORTALITY IN THE RED GROUSE 123 



examination the breastbone was found to have been broken 

 right across near the abdominal end ; but it had since 

 become firmly united again with a little displacement due to 

 overriding of the hinder fragment (see Fig. 6). Clearly this 

 bird was unable to fly because the wings from long disuse had 

 become weak, and adhesions about the pectoral muscles probably 

 made the attempt to use them painful. The joints of the legs 

 too were stiff and difficult to straighten, the result of long 

 squatting on the ground amongst wet undergrowth. She 

 must have led a sedentary existence for some time, and 

 would probably have died without regaining the power of flight. 



.Fibroas Union 



FIG. 6. Showing method of union of broken breastbone. 



There can be no doubt that the cause was collision, probably 

 with a wire fence. The organs showed no sign of disease. 



(No. 3) A Greyhen, weighing 34 ounces, was {ound dead 

 in good condition ; had been feeding on corn. Examination 

 showed that an old wound had produced extensive bleeding 

 in the abdomen, but so long previously that the clot was semi- 

 organised and formed a series of concentric blood-cysts. A 

 more recent damage had caused extensive bleeding around the 

 base of the heart and into the lungs, and this had killed the 

 bird ; but not until several hours had elapsed since the accident, 



