THE RED GROUSE 121 



ing grouse. Severe weather on the uplands assists to 

 this end by clearing off old and weakly grouse some of 

 the latter in all probability being birds that have been 

 maimed by the shot during the previous season's shoot- 

 ing. Naturally, such birds are most susceptible to the 

 inroads of disease, fostering and keeping it going in 

 situations where, upon a stock composed entirely of 

 strong young birds, it might not otherwise become 

 epidemic in character. 



But frost and snow exercise not merely a beneficent 

 influence in weeding out the weakly and aged grouse. 

 It is the habit of red grouse to migrate from the more 

 elevated and exposed moorlands during the prevalence 

 of deep snow to other quarters where suitable food is 

 readily obtainable. By this means the evils of in- 

 breeding are to a large extent avoided, and in the most 

 natural manner possible is procured that interchange of 

 blood which, equally with good food, is essential to the 

 well-being of all stocks of game-birds. 



Beyond the acquaintanceship formed through seeing 

 grouse hanging in the game-dealers' shops, or as served 

 upon their dining-tables, many south-country sportsmen 

 have few opportunities for gaining information at first 

 hand respecting the birds of our moorlands. Quick- 

 witted Londoners, however, are not slow to observe that, 

 year by year, very few hours have been ticked off by the 

 clock on August 12 before red grouse are exposed for 

 sale in the metropolis. Speedy as are our express 

 trains, it is certain that freshly-shot grouse cannot reach 

 London by 5 a.m. on the morning of " The Twelfth " ; 

 consequently it is equally certain that such birds have 

 been killed some hours before the legal season has 

 arrived. The price at which the first birds on the 



