The Willow Grouse 



THE Willow Grouse or Ripa is not found 

 in the British Islands, although it in- 

 habits the northern portions of both the Old 

 and the New World. Many people consider 

 that our red grouse is only a local represen- 

 tative of this species and that it does not turn 

 white in winter because our mild open climate 

 renders such a change in the colour of its 

 plumage unnecessary. 



Although the summer plumage of the 

 Ripa is very similar to that of the red grouse, 

 the flight feathers are always white and make 

 the bird look very conspicuous when it rises 

 and flies away from the observer. In winter 

 the whole of its feathers become pure white 

 excepting the outer tail quills, which, curi- 

 ously enough, remain black. 



The call notes are exactly like those of 

 the red grouse, and if you heard them, with 

 your eyes closed, you might easily imagine 

 yourself on a Scottish moor. 



55 



