CHAPTER VI 



THE WEIGHT OK GROUSE 



By Edivard A. Wilson 



THE weight of Grouse in connection with "Grouse Disease" deserves more 

 attention than it has yet received. 



It is a useful indication of the health of a moor, and in the early days 

 of spring a dead bird found and weighed often affords the best rough guide 

 for making a diagnosis of the probable cause of the trouble. Later, 

 indication when dead birds are found in large numbers, the test becomes con- 

 vincing if indeed any further proof as to the cause of death is 

 required. Even in November and December a very fair indication of the 

 probability of disease in early spring may be obtained by putting a number 

 of birds upon the scales. A really low average weight in these months is 

 undoubtedly a bad sign, and makes the prognosis for the ensuing year 

 unfavourable ; while a good average weight, even if the pigmentation of the 

 plumage is unsatisfactory, need give no cause for alarm. 



Apart from its practical value there are sundry points connected with 

 the study of the weight of Grouse in health and in sickness, which are in 

 themselves interesting ; and many facts in the life-history of the bird are 

 found upon examination to be correlated with a normal change in weight from 

 one season to another. 



It is obvious that before we can usefully investigate changes of weight in 

 sick or dying birds, and can understand their meaning, the seasonal fluctuations 

 of weight in health must be accurately determined and understood. 



Beginning, therefore, with healthy Grouse, it is found that sex is a 

 primary factor in determining the weight of an individual bird. An adult 

 Seasonal coc ^ Gr use is as a rule heavier than an adult hen, when both are 

 tiontin we ^ g row11 an d i n really good condition. This is true all the 

 weight. vear roun( j ) except in spring, for at this time when the hen 

 begins to sit she is heavier and in better condition than at any other time 



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