26 



Allen's naturalist's library. 



The eggs, especially of the smaller species, are often numer- 

 ous, and when spotted have only a single set of surface marks, 



Fig. 7. — Sternum of Red Grouse. 



none of the pale underlying spots characteristic of the Sand- 

 Grouse, Hemipodes, and Wading Birds, being found. 



THE GROUSE. FAMILY TETRAONID^. 



Distinguished by having the hind-toe raised above the 

 level of the other toes. The nostrils are wholly, and the 

 feet (metatarsi) partially or entirely hidden by feathers, never 

 armed with spurs. The toes are either covered with feathers 

 or naked and pectinate, />., with a series of horny comb-like 

 processes on each side. 



I. THE WILLOW GROUSE AND PTARMIGAN. 

 GENUS LAGOPUS. 



Lagopus, Briss. Orn. i. pp. 181, 216 (1760). 

 Type, L.lagopus (Linn.). 

 These birds may be easily known from all other members 



