relief. Grouse also like to sun themselves on a warm bank or slab of rock — often resting with one wing extended.
The practice of "becking" has been thus described in a note by Mr Alston in Dresser's "Birds of Europe"[1]: "Early on frosty mornings the cocks are fond of perching on a knowe or hillock and uttering their clear-ringing er-eck, "Becking." kek-kek! wuk, wuk, wuk. At such times they may often be seen to rise perpendicularly in the air to a height of several feet, and then drop again on the same spot." "Becking" is fully described by the Rev. H. A. Macpherson in the Fur and Feather Series, where it is pointed out that the practice is in the nature of an amorous demonstration by the cock Grouse with the object of attracting his mate,"[2] and it may be compared to the peculiar antics adopted by the Blackcock and Capercailzie from a similar motive. "Becking," however, is not confined to the breeding season, indeed it is more usual during the autumn and winter months than in the spring. Mr Macpherson describes in a most interesting chapter the manner in which Grouse may be shot by taking advantage of this peculiar habit.
Grouse, when fully grown, do not pass the night huddled together like Partridges, but "jug" singly amongst the heather, taking care not to be far apart. From the traces left in time of snow it is found that they Jugging usually lie about a foot or two apart, so that a pack of a hundred may be contained within an area of a dozen square yards.
In the words of a Highland gamekeeper: "Grouse glory in their 'hardiness'" and it is almost incredible how little they are affected by wet, cold, and snow. It may indeed be said that so far as the adult Grouse is concerned it Hardiness
of Grouse. matters not what the weather is so long as his food supply is not affected. They will never desert high ground for low ground merely on account of a heavy fall of snow, provided that there is sufficient wind to keep the exposed ridges clear, and thus give access to the heather; and even if the whole Grouse in
snow moor should be covered they will burrow in the soft snow to reach the heather underneath. It is quite common to come upon birds in holes a foot or two under the loose snow. It is only when the snow has become covered with a hard, icy crust that the Grouse begin to feel the pinch of hunger. On these occasions they may be seen in large packs following in the track of a herd of deer or a flock of sheep in order to take advantage of the broken surface. They
- ↑ "Birds of Europe," vol. vii. p. 168.
- ↑ Fur and Feather Series, "The Grouse," pp. 65–72
