possible to feed one set of Grouse with clean grain, and another with such stuff as the birds pick up for themselves on the stubbles, there is no doubt that the former would rapidly improve in condition, and the latter go steadily downhill. Such an experiment is not practicable.
To recapitulate, the following may be given as a fairly accurate account of the monthly dietary of the Red Grouse for the year: —
January, Calluna shoots (64 per cent.) and Calluna seed-heads (27 per cent.).
February, Calluna shoots (75 per cent.) and the stalks and buds of blaeberry and leaves of cowberry.
March, Calluna shoots (97 per cent.) and blaeberry stalks and buds.
April, Calluna shoots (93 per cent.) and very little besides.
May, Calluna shoots (82 per cent.) and rather more "various."
June, Calluna shoots (82 per cent.) and "various."
July, Calluna shoots (53 per cent.) and an increasing amount of "various."
August, Calluna shoots (60 per cent.) and some Calluna flowers and "various."
September, Calluna shoots (63 per cent.) and 16 per cent, of Calluna flowers and "various."
October, much less (42 per cent.) of Calluna shoots, and nearly 30 per cent, of Calluna flowers, and some "various."
November, still less (39 per cent.) of Calluna shoots, and 33 per cent, of Calluna flowers and seed-heads, and the rest "various."
December, a rise in Calluna shoots to 60 per cent., but still 27 per cent, of Calluna seed-heads.
List of Vegetable Food eaten from Time to Time by the Red Grouse
Calluna vulgaris, the staple food of Grouse, is known generally as Heather. Grouse eat the shoots, flowers, and seed-heads. See Pl. xxiii., p. 71.
Vaccinium myrtillus, Blaeberry, Blueberry, or Blue Whortleberry. Grouse eat the stem, buds, flowers, and berries. See Pl. xxiv., p. 86, Fig. 1.
