BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



437 



Europe. The adult male is so well known that a brief 

 description is quite sufficient. The general colour is bluish- 

 black, tinged with brown on upper parts ; white bar across 

 the wings ; tail, black, outermost rectrices curved outwards ; 

 irides, hazel; wattles above eyes, scarlet. Length, from 

 twenty to twenty-three inches. The adult female is less 

 than the male, and is similar in colouration to the female 

 capercailzie; tail, not forked. The young resemble the 

 female. 



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The Red Grouse {Lagopus scoticus^ Brisson) is confined 

 to the British Isles. The adult male in spring is prin- 

 cipally chestnut-brown, the greater portion of the feathers 

 being vermiculated, barred, and speckled with black ; 

 abdomen, greyish -white ; irides, hazel; feathers on legs 

 and feet, greyish-white; wattles over eyes, rich scarlet. 

 This species varies much in colouration. Length, from 

 fifteen to sixteen inches. The adult female is less in size, 



