246 



RED GROUSE. 



killed in full possession of their native freedom, in the 

 wilds of Spitzbergen ". 



These birds seldom fly unless obliged to. When 

 they do take the wing, their flight is extremely rapid. 



The eggs are laid frequently on the bare stones, 

 generally in a little hollow scraped out in the ground 

 and lined with a twig or two and a few feathers. 



Seven to ten eggs are laid of a buffish ground colour, 

 blotched with rich chocolate brown. 



RED GROUSE. 



TETRAO SCOTICUS. 



Family Phasianid.^. Genus Tetrao. 



Brown Ptarmigan — Muir Fowl — Moor Fowl — Gorcock. 



The Red Grouse is the only bird which is found in 

 no place outside the British Islands. It breeds on 



