260 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



is the only exclusively British bird which we 

 can boast of, being found in no part of the world 

 except the British Isles. It is of a reddish- 

 chestnut colour, shaded with brown and black. 

 It exists in England and Wales, and the north of 

 England as well as Scotland and also in Ireland ; 

 but the great stronghold of the species is the 

 Highlands of Scotland, where its preservation is 

 carried to such an extent, and the rights of 

 shooting let at such high rents, that despite the 

 immense annual slaughter, in the early part of 

 the season, there seems to be no prospect of its ex- 

 termination, or even material reduction. 



The red grouse pairs very early in the season, 

 and commences laying in March or April. Its 

 favourite cover is the heather, which preserves 

 the birds from the weather, and from enemies. 

 Its food is berries, and the tender tops of heaths. 

 Mr. Mudie says, it is probable that the superior 

 juiciness and flavour of the red grouse, is owing 

 to their having a greater proportion of insect 

 food, and their feeding in drier places, as it is 

 a fact, that insect-feeding birds are always sweeter 

 than those which live on vegetable substances 

 only ; all gallinaceous birds are finer flavoured in 

 dry seasons than in rainy ones. 



At the first part of the shooting season the young 

 birds lie close, particularly where the heath is 



