THE BLACK GROUSE 131 



ground of the Black-cock is usually a grass-covered clear- 

 ance in the forest, but sometimes a young plantation 

 is used, the young trees being beaten to the ground by 

 the constant movements of the birds. In such cases, 

 however, the fighting-ground was probably in existence 

 before the young trees were planted. 



To such fighting-grounds the whole of the Black-cock 

 population repair with the first light of the dawn, and 

 immediately commence work. They pace slowly around, 

 crouching low on the ground with their tails spread out 

 to their full stretch, and appear to fight indiscriminately 

 with any member of their species they may happen to 

 approach. An adversary having been obtained, the 

 two cocks face each other with heads bent low and then 

 together fly up perpendicularly into the air, striking at 

 each other with their feet. In moments of excitement, 

 just before springing on each other, I have noticed the 

 Black-cock half open their wings and strike them sharply 

 against their sides. Such a fight as a rule lasts for only 

 a few seconds of time, the birds separating and seeking 

 fresh opponents. Thus fights in deadly earnest are not 

 often seen, but when such fights are engaged in, one of the 

 combatants is sometimes left dead on the field. 



There seems to be a very great preponderance of male 

 birds at these fighting grounds, the Grey-hens being out- 

 numbered ten to one. These hens move about the fight- 

 ing-ground watching the males with quiet interest, their 

 presence causing great efforts to be put forth on their 

 behalf. Sometimes a Grey-hen flies off to the top of a 

 neighbouring pine, and is a spectator of the battle-ground 

 from her elevated perch. 



Though the Black-cock are apparently concentrated 

 on their fights, it is no easy matter to approach them, even 

 through the cover of a wood, for they take alarm at the 

 least noise or movement and fly off in a body to the neigh- 



