The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-10-10
A TAME GROUSE.
Ho Comes When Called and Likes thu
Report of ~ Gun.

1OIltS VI 1aiitu anu AfihSs stsS
Report of N Gun.
\ tame grouse, the result of an inter.
esting experiment in natural history,
can he seen at Tullimet, in Perthshire.
-Four years ago Mr.. Young, the keeper
there, reared some grouse, and, being d
student of natural history, he took spe-
cial interest in young cock, with the
view of making it a pet. 1t became
quite tame, flying up and sitting on his
knee without the slightest fear. jock
as he is called, strutted about the ken
nels like barn-door fowl, eating maize
from peoples hands. lmpelled by nat
ural instinct, he secured a mate in the
spring. Repairing a short distance to
some detached elumps of heather, a nest
was formed and eggs laid in it, and in
due course the hen entered upon the
process of Matching. jock watched
carefully near the place where his mate
was sitting, never failing in his attempt
to drive off any intruder. Going near
the place one day Mr.. Young was SUR
prised to discover that former friend
ship had disappeared, as 'Joek" flew in
his face and succeeded in drawing blood
from his cheek. After successfully rear
ing the covey "Jock" returned in the
autumn and again cultivated the friend
ship of Mr.. Young, who had him photo'
graphed sitting ON his knee. For the
third time he is at present engaged in
keeping guard over the nest where his
mate is sitting, and is greatly annoyed
when anyone ventures to intrude upon
either one of them.
On a recent visit to Tulliemet we ac-
companied the keeper to the place
where flock" was faithfully guarding
his sitting mate. On the keeper calling
out: Are you there, Joek2' he readily
responded from a distance of about
couple of hundred yards. $50 back go
back, go back" saluted us, and imme-
diately we observed the bird flying to-
ward MS. Alighting about 20 yards dis
tant, he approached us, his tail spread
out, his comb bright and extended to
an unusual size. We stretched out our
hand toward him, when in an instant he
flew at it, striking a blow simultaneous
" with his wings and bt,k. Not caring
to expose our bare hands to his attacks,
we held out our cap, when, Selling it
with his beak, he allowed himself to be
lifted, striking with both wings and
feet. In watching his movements 1T
was interesting to note how he ocea-
sionally raised his head and scanned the
horizon all round, in accordance with
the habits of grouse. Prior to the nest
ing season he was observed one day
flying in an excited manner toward the
kennel, and, wondering what was the
cause of alarm, the keeper, on looking
toward the summit, discovered an eagle
in the distance hunting for his prey.
The report of gun has no terrors for
"Joclx'-in fact, he seems rather to en-
Joy it. Near his home on the moor is n
mountain tarn, and butts are placed
near it, in which sportsmen conceal
themselves in order to shoot ducks
driven over them. On the occasion of
duck drive flock" is certain to be in
one of the butts, as if he enjoyed the
sport. Even in confinement under
cover we have known brood of grouse
successfully reared. In this case there
were nine eggs, which produced nine
young birds. Three of these-we pre-
sumo because of their being reared as
domestic pets, and in such unnatural
circumstances exhibited swelling at
the joints of their legs, to which they
ultimately succumbed. The others
grew up strong, splendid birds, tame as
domestic fowls, and in the frosty aut-
umn mornings interested the neighbor-
hood by their calls, which were as hearty
and unrestrained as if they had been on
the hillside among the natural heath.
Our friend by whom they were reared
parted with them all, save one pair
which he kept in well-lighted and airy
loft for his own study and amusement
He, of course, supplied them regularly
with fresh heather, and was delighted
to find them one morning in the month
of April making nest. The hen laid
seven eggs, and there was every appear
ance of the young birds being safely
Matched. Unfortunately, he was at
this time compelled to remove from the
premises, and, though he did his very
best to transplant the grouse hen with
her eggs to an equally suitable place
she declined to become party to the
transaction. Thus the result of q
! most interesting experiment in natural
/ history was frustrated-Land and Wa