THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
and stubble-fields in the early morning and afternoon, often in large packs, 
sometimes remaining there till quite late in the evening. They also, to 
some extent, visit turnip -fields, and may not infrequently be flushed 
there along with black grouse. When very hard pressed for food they 
have been observed feeding on the haws, birch -buds, etc., settling on the 
thorn -hedges and trees to reach these strange foods. 
They are extremely partial to grit, of which they pick up large quan- 
tities, and often travel long distances to obtain a suitable supply. A con- 
stant supply of good grit is essential to their welfare, and without it they 
are unable to digest their food. 
Flight . — When flushed, grouse rise from among the heather with con- 
siderable noise, and with a few very rapid strokes of their short, powerful 
wings, are soon travelling at a great rate of speed. When once well under 
way they skim on with motionless wings, flapping them rapidly every 
few seconds to accelerate the pace. When flying they generally keep near 
the surface of the ground, unless they have to cross some valley or wish 
to move from one part of the moor to another, when they often fly at a 
great height. They are capable of protracted flights of many miles, and 
often cross wide arms of the sea when migrating to the lower grounds 
in search of food. The legs are fully extended in flight, and carried under 
the tail, as may be easily seen when the birds are passing over the “butts” 
and travelling up wind. 
Breeding habits . — ^As a rule the nesting -season does not commence till 
the middle of April, the eggs being generally laid towards the end of that 
month or early in May ; but in mild open winters red grouse may be seen 
in pairs early in the year, even in January. When the early months are 
stormy and unfavourable, the birds continue to congregate in packs, their 
movements being greatly affected by the weather. Heavy snow-storms 
drive them from the high ground to the lower and more sheltered parts of 
the moor, but unless the storms are unusually late and severe, they grad- 
ually return as the snow melts to their accustomed breeding -grounds. 
Unlike the polygamous black grouse and capercaillie, or even the 
ptarmigan, the red grouse has no favourite spot which is resorted to in 
the courting-season. They are very restless in spring, and the cocks may 
constantly be seen chasing the hens over the moors when not engaged 
in fighting off other suitors. 
In the pairing-season the former are very pugnacious, the old cocks 
being especially so, and for this reason they should be shot down as 
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