8 



GAME-BIRDS 



more than can the fact that the mountain-hare in Ireland presents the 

 same peculiarity when compared with its representative in Scotland. 

 Nevertheless, it is perhaps preferable to employ the scientific name for 

 this bird now t^enerally in use, rather than to follow the new fashion 

 of calling it Lagopus albus scoticus. 



As regards plumage, the grouse is a variable bird, and peculiar 

 in that the buff and black plumage of the cocks is assumed by a 

 complete moult beginning in June — after the breeding-season ; this 

 livery being worn till September, when it is partially replaced by the 

 winter-dress of chestnut and black. The hens also undergo a partial 



moult in March, which 

 is complete by May, 

 constituting a speci- 

 ally protective breed- 

 ing - plumage ; and 

 moult again in the 

 autumn, when they 

 assume the winter- 

 dress. At all times 

 grouse may be dis- 

 tinguished from ptar- 

 migan by the colour 

 of the quill-feathers, 

 which are blackish 

 brown. The cock 

 exhibits three colour- 

 GKousE. phases : firstly, a red 



phase without white 

 the low grounds of Ireland, the west of Scotland, 

 Hebrides ; secondly, a rare black phase, in which 

 the plumage presents an intermediate character between the first 

 and third types ; and, thirdly, a white-spotted form occurring in the 

 high grounds of the north of Scotland. In the hen five phases occur, 

 namely, a red, a black, a white-spotted, a buff-spotted, and a buff- 

 barred ; the red and black phases being rare, the buff-spotted the 

 commonest, and the buff-barred type occurring in the south of Ireland. 

 The hen is smaller than the cock, and has the red crescent of bare 

 skin above the eye reduced. The chick in down is yellowish buff 

 above, with a dark reddish-brown patch on the crown, and dark stripes 

 down the back. 



Unlike the capercaillie and blackcock, the grou.se is essentially a 



spots, found in 

 and. the Outer 



