172 THE KEEPERS BOOK 



notice. We have not, however, heard of any effectual 

 cure. 



Artificial Rearing 



Excellent reports have been received from various 

 sources as to the success attending the " hand " rearing 

 of grouse. Game-hens, and sometimes bantams, have 

 been used for the purpose, and the coops are placed on 

 short heather, where a fresh shift can be got every day. 

 " When the chicks are hatched," says Mr. Speedy, 

 "they should at first be fed on hard-boiled eggs, with 

 an admixture of ' Standard ' meal, the makers of which 

 have a preparation for the rearing of grouse and black 

 game. Rice and seed may be added later, and maize 

 of which they are very fond when they are large 

 enough to swallow it. It is desirable to rear them in 

 places where, besides heather, as much natural food as 

 possible can be got, such as blackberries, cranberries, 

 ribwort, bracken, etc. Hand-reared grouse keep well 

 together during the autumn and winter months, and are 

 easily known, so that they can be spared by the careful 

 sportsman. On the approach of spring they spread over 

 the moor and pair off to propagate their species, thus 

 disseminating broadcast fresh blood over the district." 

 No doubt some difficulty will be experienced in procur- 

 ing the eggs of grouse. One solution of the difficulty 

 is to obtain them from deer forests, where the removal 

 of eggs would be regarded more as a benefit than 

 otherwise. 



