74 SPRING 



are so thoroughly characteristic of the heather-clad moor- 

 lands as the grouse. The twite is hardly ever found in 

 spring or summer in the south or west of England, and is 

 scarce even in the north ; it does not become common until 

 we reach the Scotch highlands and islands. But the grouse 

 are the true ' moorfowl,' as they call them in the north ; and 

 the cock grouse has all the habits of proprietorship. His 

 peremptory cry of ' Go back ! Go back ! ' sounds a challenge 

 like the bark of the raven, as he mounts to some heathy 

 knoll to face the intruder ; and it rings as pleasantly in the 

 ear from the heave of the moor close at hand, as the bub- 

 bling spring cry of the curlew, scouting round the distant 

 crests. 



RED-GROUSE 



