The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-09-12
A TAME GROUSE.
de Genes Whom Called and Likes the
Report Of . Gun.

de Genes Whom Called and Likes the
Report Of . Gun.
A tame grouse, the result of an inter
esting experiment in natural history,
can be seen at Tullimet, in Perthshire.
Four years ago Mr.. Young, the keeper
there, reared some grouse, and, being q
student of natural history, he took spe-
eial interest In young Dock, with the
view of making it a pet. It became
quito tame, flying up and sitting on his
knee without the slightest fear. Jock, !"
as he is called, strutted about the ken
hcls like barn-door fowl, eating maize
from peoples hands. Impelled by nat
ural instinct, he secured a mate IN the
spring. Repairing a short distance to
some detached clumps of heather, q 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 8fr. Young was sur
prised to discover that former friend
ship had disappeared, az Jock" few 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 &C
companied the keeper to the place
where Jock" was faithfully guarding
his sitting mate. On the keeper calling
out: Are you there, Jock ?" he readily
responded from q distance OF about
couple Of hundred yards. Go back, go
back, go back" saluted US. and imIne-
distely we observed the bird flying to
ward Us. Alighting about 20 yards dis
tant, be approached US, his tail spread
out, his comb bright and extended 70
an unusual size. We stretched out our
hand toward him, when in an instant he
few at II, striking blow simultaneous
~ with his wings and beak. Not caring
to expose our bare hands to his attacks,
We held out our cap. when. seizing II
with his besk, he allowed himself TO be
lifted, striking with both wings and
feet In watching his movements i
was interesting 10 note how he coca
sioually raised his head and scanned the
horizon all round. IL accordance with
the habits of grouse. Prior 10 the nest
ing season he was observed one oay
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 q gun has DO terrors for
'Jock"-in fact, he seems rather 10 er7-
JOY il. Near bis home on the moor Is s
mountain tern, and butts are placed
near il. In which sPortsmen conceal
themselves in order 10 shoot ducks
driven over them. On the occasion OF
. duck drive Jock Is certain 10 be n
one of the butts, as II he enjoyed the
sport Even IN confinement under
cover we have known = brood OF grocs-
successfully reared In this case there
were nine eggs. which produced nine
young birds Three Of fhcse-we pre-
sumo because OF their beizg reared as
domestic pets. and IN suSh EnnatEsal
c.rcunss;s1ee.--exhil.s:sd gsze!iing =.