GROUSE IN CAPTIVITY 451 



Grouse. Even with these precautions the Grouse on the 

 experimental area were much disturbed by vermin, especially 

 foxes, which abound in that part of Surrey ; these foxes came 

 prowling round the coops when the birds were sitting, frightening 

 them off their nests. In one case the death of a hen was 

 attributed to a fox frightening her when on the nest, and in 

 her frantic efforts to escape she injured herself against the 

 sides of the coop. Dogs also were a great trouble, disturbing 

 the birds at all hours by day as well as by night. 



Each coop was furnished with a piece of tarpaulin, which 

 could be used as a shelter from heavy rain or hot sun as 

 required. 



At first the coops containing the Grouse were moved on to 

 fresh ground every two days, being placed on the edges of the 

 rides so as to cover about 5 or 6 feet of young heather, and 

 2 or 3 feet of sheltering heather ; but later, when the Grouse 

 increased in numbers, it became impossible, on account of the 

 labour involved, to move the coops so frequently, and it was 

 found that moving them once a week was quite often enough. 

 In that case, however, the birds had to be supplied with faggots 

 or bunches of fresh heather for food at least every two days ; 

 or, better still, every day. Later experience has shown that if 

 these bunches of heather are tied in the coops with the tops 

 of the heather hanging downwards the birds eat it just as 

 well, and even better, than when thrown into the coops loose, 

 and the heather does not become soiled by the birds standing 

 on it. 



Another important point is the water supply. All drinking 

 water must be absolutely clean, and this has beenensured as 

 far as possible by using Hearson chicken water-fountains, 

 which prevent the birds from soiling the water. 



The question of rearing Grouse on this area did not at 

 first arise, and it was only after experience showed that such 

 a thing was possible that the experiment was tried, and a history 

 of the methods adopted, and the experience gained, may be 

 of interest to our readers. 



