68 ■ THE BIRDS OF DORSET. 



ORDER GALLIN.E. 



Fam. Tetraonid^. 

 BLACK GROUSE. Tetrao tetrix, L. 



YarreU, iii. p. 60 ; Ilarting, p. 38 ; Dresser, vii. p. 205 ; See- 

 lohm, ii. p. 435 ; Ibis List, p. 145 ; PuUeiie>/s List, p. 7. 



The Black Grouse is very local in Dorsetshire, 

 and does not increase under the strictest preservation. 

 This may be accounted for possibly by the absence 

 of forests and large woods in the vicinity of our 

 moorlands, to which they can retire on quitting the 

 heather. It occurs only on the heaths which are 

 preserved, as between Alderholt and Knighton, where 

 a few broods are reared annually. I learn from 

 Professor Newton that in 1872 there was a nest 

 on Bloxworth Heath ; and I have occasionally seen 

 Black Grouse on Chamberlayne's and Hyde Heaths. 

 A fine specimen in the collection of Mr. W. Penney 

 was shot on the common, near Lake Clay Pits, Ham- 

 worthy, in November 1876. Mr. Radclyffe shot a 

 hybrid between the Black Grouse and Pheasant, 

 which is preserved in his collection at Hyde. 



