64 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE GROUSE 



The feathering of the tarsi does not satisfy my 

 mind about the bird ; for this reason, that I have 

 grounds for believing that common partridges are liable 

 to be ' feather-legged.' A Crossfell keeper assured me 

 that he had shot partridges with feathered legs, and 

 referred me to a shepherd whom we met on Crossfell. 

 When I asked that worthy whether he had seen any 

 ' fell partridges,' he asked at once, ' Do you mean 

 the rough-legged ones ? ' adding that he knew them 

 well. Mr. J. G. Millais states that two hybrids between 

 the red grouse and partridge have been obtained in 

 Scotland, but he has not been able to describe these 

 interesting specimens. It seems perfectly possible 

 that the red grouse may interbreed with its ally the 

 ptarmigan, but upon this point no conclusive evidence 

 is at present available. One other point at least re- 

 mains to be noticed, and that is the weight of grouse. 

 The cock birds not infrequently weigh 28 or 28^ 

 ounces in the North of England, when in first-rate 

 condition in every respect. Anything over 30 ounces 

 is noteworthy, but a weight of 32 ounces is not unpre- 

 cedented. 



