THE BLACK GROUSE 135 



sometimes insects. They are said to be partial to the 

 berries of the rowan {Soi'bus ancwparia). 



When the crofters' oats are left in the stook, owing to 

 unfavourable weather conditions, for a prolonged period, 

 the Black-cocks (not so much the Grey-hens) are frequently 

 to be seen perched on the stooks devouring the grain. 

 They are much more wary than the Grouse which are 

 usually with them, and take flight before the former birds 

 show any signs of suspicion. It is said that sometimes, 

 after partaking of sodden grain, in which fermentation is 

 far advanced, the birds become so intoxicated that they 

 can scarcely rise from the ground, and that their flight 

 on such occasions follows a somewhat erratic and devious 

 course. 



The range of the Black Grouse is an extensive one. In 

 Scandinavia, Russia, Germany, and France it is found 

 widely distributed. It occurs in Northern and Central 

 Asia. Unlike the Capercaillie, it has not been reported 

 from the Pyrenees. In the Caucasus an allied species — 

 Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi — is found. It is less robust than 

 our representative, and the male's plumage is entirely 

 black. As I mentioned earlier in the chapter, the Black 

 Grouse is met with generally throughout Scotland, but 

 there are one or two districts where it is not known. 

 Though present in the Inner Hebrides, it is non-existent 

 in the Outer Hebridean Islands. Neither is it known in 

 the Orkneys or Shetlands. 



Description : Adult male. — General colour black, the 

 feathers of the head, neck, lower back, and rump margined 

 with purplish blue. The outer webs of the outer primary 

 quills pale brown mottled with white, the basal part of 

 the innermost primary and secondary quills pure white, 

 the secondaries being also margined with the same colour. 

 Axillaries under wing coverts and under tail coverts 

 pure white. Thighs showing a good many white feathers. 



