BLACK GROUSE. 273 



protection during the nesting season. In the same way, the 

 mixed plumage of the males no doubt renders them less con- 

 spicuous among the patches of snow which, in the more 

 northern latitudes, are not melted during the short summer. 

 The general habits of the Ptarmigan resemble those of the 

 Grouse, their monogamous habits, mode of nesting and feeding, 

 being much the same ; but the call is very different from the 

 bee of the latter, and is more of a hoarse croak. The 

 female is an excellent mother, taking the greatest care of her 

 young, and boldly menacing any unexpected intruder who may 

 come on her unawares. She flutters along the ground or runs 

 towards her supposed enemy with drooping wings and halting 

 gait to attract attention, while the young disappear as by magic, 

 and vanish among the crevices of the stones. Ptarmigan 

 depend greatly for safety on the perfect harmony of their 

 plumage with their natural surroundings, and it is astonishing 

 to see how they will sometimes rise all round one, almost from 

 under one's feet, on comparatively bare ground, without any 

 previous evidence of their presence." 



Nestling, Nest, and Eggs. — Similar to those of the Red Grouse, 

 but the eggs of the latter are rather smaller, less thickly covered ■ 

 with blotches, and more buff in general appearance. 



THE BLACK GROUSE, GENUS LYRURUS. 

 Lyrurus, Swains. Faun. Bor. Amer. Birds, p. 497 (1831). 



Type, Z. tetrix (Linn.). 

 The genus Lyrurus differs from Lagopus in having the feet 

 feathered, but the toes are naked and pectinate on the sides. 

 There are eighteen tail-feathers, and the outer pair are curved 

 outwards in the male. 



Only two species of Lyrurus are known, our own Black 

 Grouse, and L. vilokosiewiczi of the Caucasus Mountains. 



I. THE BLACK GROUSE. LYRURUS TETRIX. 



Tetrao tetrix, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 274 (1766); Macgill. Brit. 

 B. i. p. 145 (1837); Dresser, B. Eur. vii. p. 205, pi. 487 

 (1873); B. O. U. List. Brit. B. p 145 (1883); Saunders, 



15 T 



