92 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



Moss fruit-capsules, or spore cases. 



Blaeberry flower - buds, and ripe blaeberries occasionally ( Vac- 

 cinium myrtillus). 



Blaeberry leaves and young stalks. 



Fern leaves (Blechnum and Ptens). 



Rush heads, in flower and seed (Juncus sq.). 



Tormentilla seed-heads. 



Shoots of Empetrum nigrum. 



Of these the most constant are the fresh young shoots of Calluna ; then 

 the fresh blossoms of Calluna, and then the spore capsules of moss. While 

 insects are commonly eaten, many crops of the youngest chickens contained 

 no trace of them. It is practically certain that by eating some such animal 

 food the cystic stages of the intestinaleworms which infest young birds even 

 in the first weeks of their existence are introduced. Until this matter has 

 been further investigated, it is needless to say more here. 



PART III. WATER 

 By A. S. Leslie 



There are various opinions regarding the Grouse's requirements in the way 



of water. The majority of moor-owners and naturalists are firmly convinced 



that Grouse do drink, and quote in support of their view the undoubted 



believed f ac t that when springs and drains are periodically cleared the stock is 



that Grouse r ' 



drink more healthy and numerous. Others state that water is not necessary, 



water. 



and that the fact that drains and springs are not allowed to become 

 choked may have beneficial results apart altogether from the maintenance of 

 the water supply. The evidence on the subject is somewhat conflicting. 



As already stated, Grouse do not appear to require water from springs or 

 burns in the earlier stages of their life ; 1 this fact is established from observations 

 on both wild and hand-reared birds. On this subject, a well-known moor- 

 owner in BanfFshire writes : " Grouse never seem to want water except in a 

 very dry season ; a shower is sufficient to last them for a long time. The 

 less water they have in hand rearing, I find, the better they do." And, again, 

 " I have never noticed that the young Grouse, when half-grown or older, 



1 Vide chap. ii. p. 18. 



