PLUMAGE CHANGES OF THE HEN GROUSE 45 



In February the bird is still in the same plumage as in January. In a 

 few forward birds the feathers of the summer dress are beginning 

 to make their appearance on the back of the neck about the middle 

 of the month. 



In March the change from autumn plumage to spring breeding plumage 

 is, in healthy birds, now quite unmistakable, though many birds are very 

 backward owing to disease. All doubt as to the sex of healthy 

 birds, whether from above or below, is now removed. The broad- 

 barred buff and black feathers of the flanks are now appearing, and are most 

 conspicuous and characteristic, while the whole of the lower breast and 

 abdomen covered by the red-brown or red-black finely barred feather of 

 September growth are still in excellent condition and remain unchanged 

 (PL IX.). The feathers of the chin, throat, neck, and upper breast are now 

 mixed with broad-barred black and yellow feathers in forward birds ; while in 

 backward birds the throat and fore-neck may still be clad in copper-red feathers. 

 The legs and feet are already looking worn and less well feathered, but the 

 claws are long. 



In April and in May, for the simple reason that many hen Grouse died 

 of "Grouse Disease" in these months during the six years of the Inquiry, 

 the proportion of skins of l^ackward hens is large. The birds thus Aimiand 

 picked up dead carry one immediately back again to winter, for -"^^^y- 

 although they ought by this time to be putting the finishing touches to 

 their spring plumage, they are, in fact, but just succeeding in the belated 

 effort to put on the autumn dress. They are thus a clear six months 

 late, and afibrd the most misleading seasonal characters imaginable. Their 

 legs and feet, instead of being worn and almost moulted clean, are at 

 last, after a winter spent with almost naked legs, well-clothed with thick 

 white feathers. The appearance of the legs therefore in the hens, as in the 

 cocks, is totally misleading to the keeper or to the sportsman who considers 

 bare unfeathered legs to be a sign of " Grouse Disease." This holds good 

 for autumn only, and in spring precisely the opposite is the case, for in 

 April, May, and June none but healthy birds have naked legs and feet. 

 The general character of advanced and healthy birds towards the end of 

 April and in May is that of a complete spring plumage. The whole of the 

 upper parts are broadly barred with buff and black, and marked with con- 

 spicuous terminal whitish buff spots or bars (PI. x.). The under parts, again, are 



