384 



GALLINJi]. 



SUB-FAMILY V. 

 Tetraonin^. The Grouse proper. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill short, broader than long, elevated at the base, the sides 

 gradually compressed to the tip ; the nostrils entirely clothed with small 

 feathers ; the wings moderate and rounded ; the tail ample and of various 

 forms ; the tarsi moderate, more or less clothed with feathers ; the toes 

 long, and sometimes covered with feathers. 



Fig. 155.— the black grouse. 

 (Tetrao Tetrix.) 



These birds are found in tlie northern parts of 

 Europe and America, inhabiting the great pine and 

 spruce forests, especially of the higher mountains. 

 During the autumn and winter they live har- 

 moniously in flocks, till the return of spring, 

 when the males separate, and each chooses some 

 ])articular spot, to which he entices a female, who 



