28 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



stock. The fact that Grouse annually shift from place to place over a wide 

 area forces one to the conclusion that co-operation is necessary rather than 

 individual effort. For the same reason it is doubtful whether the benefit of 

 introducing fresh blood (either in the form of eggs or of living birds) is confined 

 to the moor on which the fresh blood is introduced. This remark would not, 

 of course, apply to an isolated moor, or one in which for any reason the 

 shifting habits of the birds are not fully developed. 



Various opinions have been expressed as to the age which a Grouse can 

 attain, and a few observations on the subject may be quoted. On a York- 

 Age of shire moor a cock Grouse, which was recognisable owing to its having 

 a broken leg which stuck out permanently at right angles, was known 

 to have lived for nine years in a wild state. An Ayrshire gamekeeper, one 

 of the Committee's correspondents, can vouch for a Blackcock living twelve 

 years, and is of opinion that Grouse live as long. Another correspondent, a 

 Forfarshire gamekeeper, is sure that many of the old cocks on the tops are 

 ten years old, and if appearance goes for anything the black old cocks so 

 often killed on the high tops of many moors must have reached a not less 

 patriarchal age. In view of the many dangers to which they are exposed 

 the wild Grouse seldom gets the chance of dying of old age, and the duration 

 of its life depends more on the severity of the shooting and the numbers of 

 vermin than upon the bird's own longevity. 



Observations on Grouse in captivity tend to support the view that they 

 can live to a considerable age. Unfortunately, in every case reported to the 

 Committee where a tame Grouse has reached the age of ten or twelve years 

 the bird has died an accidental death. 



