CHAPTER XVI 



GROUSE IN CAPTIVITY 



Observation IN the spring of 1906 the Committee acquired an Observation 

 Area in Surrey on which experiments as to the origin of 

 " Grouse Disease " could be carried out on healthy Grouse. 



The site chosen consisted of undulating hilly ground with a 

 sandy subsoil covered with luxuriant heather, and dotted over 

 with self-sown pine trees, very like the fringe of many Scottish 

 moors. The special feature which made it suitable for the 

 purposes of the Committee was the free growth of heather 

 of the type most suitable for the food of Grouse. In order to 

 minimise the danger arising from heather fires, the owner of 

 the ground had wide rides cut through his heather these 

 rides are cut every spring with the result that there is a 

 luxuriant growth of young heather every summer. This young 

 heather provided excellent food, while the old heather at the 

 edges of the rides made good cover for the birds during the 

 day. 



Coops. In 1906 six movable coops of wire netting were made, each 



measuring 8 feet long by 4 feet wide, and 4 feet 6 inches in 

 height this height was essential to allow of the observers 

 getting into the coops when it was necessary to handle the 

 birds ; but for those who wish to try the experiment of rearing 

 Grouse for themselves, 2 feet 6 inches or 3 feet would be an ample 

 height. The coops were furnished with padlocked doors, and 

 strong iron staples were driven into the ground holding the outer 

 bar of the coop close to the ground ; this precaution is most 

 important, for unless it is observed small vermin such as 

 weasels and rats would get into the coops and disturb the 



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