CHAPTER XV. THE RED GROUSE. 



DISEASES. 



conditions under which grouse are preserved are so 

 JL essentially natural that the diseases to which they are 

 subject are far from numerous, and, with one exception, 

 by no means virulent. They are for the most part inci- 

 dental to the early life of the birds, or brought about by 

 inclemencies of weather. The epidemic of " grouse disease " 

 proper can only be accounted for by the altered circum- 

 stances of existence in over preservation. Young grouse 

 in a natural state are subject to catarrh, chills, and a species 

 of roup. All these are due primarily to atmospheric condi- 

 tions. The first-named may occur in the young at any 

 time before reaching the stage known as half-grown. The 

 same, also, may be said of roup, but chills are mostly caught 

 by the very young birds during more than ordinarily wet 

 springtimes on the moors. Very little can be done to aid 

 the youngsters to combat these maladies, indeed it is 

 questionable if they are not better when left to take their 

 chance. If one be always prowling about looking out for 

 sick and weakly youngsters to convey to the fireside for 



