252 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



nearly the extreme limits of forest, but is most abundant in the 

 lower and intermediate ranges. In the lower ranges its favourite 

 haunts are in wooded ravines; but it is found on nearly all hill- 

 sides which are covered with trees or bushes, from the summit 

 of the ridges to about half way down. Farther in the interior 

 it is found scattered in all parts, from near the foot of the hills 

 to the top, or as far as the forest reaches, seeming most partial 

 to the deep sloping forests composed of oak, chestnut, and 

 morenda-pine, with box, yew, and other trees intermingled, and 

 a thick underwood of ringal. 



" The Koklass is of a rather retired and solitary disposition. 

 It is generally found singly or in pairs ; and, except the brood 

 of young birds, which keep pretty well collected till near the 

 end of winter, they seldom congregate much together. When 

 numerous, several are often put up at no great distance from 

 each other, as if they were members of one lot; but when more 

 thinly scattered, it is seldom that more than two old birds are 

 found together ; and at whatever season, when one is found, 

 its mate may, almost to a certainty, be found somewhere near. 

 This would lead one to imagine that many pairs do not sepa- 

 rate after the business of incubation is over, but keep paired for 

 several successive years. 



" In forests where there is litde grass or underwood, they get 

 up as soon as aware of the approach of anyone near, or run 

 quickly along the ground to some distance; but where there is 

 much cover they lie very close, and will not get up till forced 

 by dogs or beaters. When put up by dogs they often fly up 

 into a tree close by, which they rarely do when flushed by 

 beaters or the sportsman himself, then flying a long way, and 

 generally alighting on the ground. Their flight is rapid in the 

 extreme, and after a few whirs, they sometimes shoot down 

 like lightning. They now and then utter a few low chuckles 

 before getting up, and occasionally rise with a low screeching 

 chatter, and sometimes silently. The males oft'^n crow at day- 

 break, and occasionally at all hours. 



