104 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



game -birds, even in the strictest sense, nor that all British 

 members of it are 'game.' For the Bustard was 'game,' 

 and the Quail is not strictly so, although enjoying some 

 of the privileges of protection also extended to other 

 birds which are objects of sport, such as the Woodcock 

 and Wild-Duck. 



The Red-Grouse, as we have remarked, is of sedentary 

 habits, and does not wander beyond its breeding area. 

 This embraces all suitable parts of Scotland, including the 

 Outer Hebrides and Orkney, but not Shetland ; and in that 

 country, especially in the Highlands, the species has its 

 chief stronghold. Over most of Ireland and the north of 

 England it is also well distributed, and in the northern 

 English Midlands and in Wales it is found more locally. 

 From the south of England it is quite absent, and attempts 

 to introduce it in Surrey and elsewhere have been unsuc- 

 cessful. Everywhere heather-covered moors are its favoiu'ite 

 and typical haunts, although in winter it is forced to 

 forsake the higher levels. Even in summer, two thousand 

 feet practically limits its ground, the very highest levels 

 being left to the next species. The names ' Moorfowl,' 

 ' Moor-Game,' ' Moorcock,' and ' Moorhen ' are popularly 

 applied to the Red-Grouse, the last of these rather 

 unfortunately, as we have seen. The word ' Grouse ' is a 

 general name for this family of Game-birds ; but when used 

 in this country without qualifying adjective it refers to 

 the present species. Originally it appears to have belonged 

 to the Black-Grouse, which is now usually called by other 

 names. 



Unlike some Game-birds, the Grouse is monogamous. 

 Pairing takes place rather early, and the eggs may be laid 

 by the second half of March, although usually not till 

 April. They are from eight to ten or more in number 

 and are laid in a scantily lined hollow among the heather. 



