"The Brown Ptarmigan," continues our author, "feeds for the most part upon the tops of heath (_Calluna vulgaris_ and _Erica cinerea_), and also picks the leaves and tender twigs of _Vaccinium myrtillus_ and _Empetrum nigrum_, with the young heads of _Eriophorum vaginatum_, shoots of _Galium saxatile_, _Carices_, grasses, willows, and other plants. It is also said to eat the berries of _Empetrum nigrum, accinium myrtillus_, and _Vaccinium vitisidæa_. In two instances I have found its crop filled with oat-seeds, to which it is said to be very partial, although it rarely ventures upon cultivated land. While feeding, it walks among the heath, selecting the fresh tips of the twigs, which it breaks off nearly of the same size, the largest pieces not exceeding half an inch in length. Along with these substances, fragments of white quartz, from one-twelfth to two-twelfths of an inch in diameter, are found in the crop and gizzard, being introduced for the purpose of aiding the action of the latter in comminuting the food. When the Brown Ptarmigans have filled their crops they repose among the heath or bask under a sunny bank, under the shelter of the shrubs or tufts of herbage. On ordinary occasions this species does not fly much, but keeps concealed among the heath, seldom choosing to rise, unless its enemy comes very near. On the approach of danger it lies close to the ground, when, being of a colour not contrasting strongly with that of the plants around, it is with difficulty perceived by rapacious birds." When traced by a dog, it either runs to some distance or squats at once, and often remains thus concealed for a long time, or again runs and squats. "I have seen them," continues Macgillivray, "run in this manner for four or five hundred yards before they were put up. On such occasions the male is generally the first to rise. He erects himself among the heath, stretches out his neck, utters a loud cackle, and flies off, followed by the female and young, affording by their straightforward, heavy, though strong flight an easy mark to a good shot." The Red Grouse flies low, heavily, and in a direct course, moving its wings rapidly, sometimes, especially when at full speed, with a whirring sound, and then descending with almost motionless pinions.