THE RED GROUSE. ^ 353 



be covered with heath, whether Callima vulgaris (Liilg) 

 or Erica cinerea (Common Purple Heath), from the level 

 of the sea to the height of about two thousand feet. The 

 low sandy heaths of the eastern counties of the middle 

 division appear to be less favourable to it than the more 

 moist peaty tracts of the M^estern and northern districts, 

 where the shrubs on which it feeds attain a great size." 



Its food appears to be much the same as that of the 

 Black Grouse, to which it is similar in many of its habits ; 

 but it never perches on trees. It has, moreover, a decided 

 predilection for the national grain of Scotland. Hence 

 the cultivation of small tracts of land with oats in the 

 neighbourhood of moors where it abounds is an unprofit- 

 able labour. 



Its name, Lag(^pas (Hare-footed), is equally appropriate 

 as descriptive of its thickly-clothed foot and its fleetness 

 as a runner ; by some French ornithologists it is enume- 

 rated among Velocipedes, for the latter reason. On ordinary 

 occasions it does not fly much, but keeps concealed among 

 the heath, seldom, choosing to rise unless its enemy comes 

 very near. Eed Grouse pair early in the season, and 

 build their nests generally on the borders between heath 

 and lea ground, with a view to providing their young 

 with an open nursery-ground, on which to learn the use 

 of their legs, as well as a safe retreat on the approach of 

 danger. The nest is loosely constructed of straws and 

 twigs which may chance to lie about near the selected 

 spot. The number of eggs is usually six or seven ; the 

 hen sits very closely, allowing the shepherd almost to 

 trample on her before she springs. The period of hatching 

 is a perilous one for the chicks, for, as they break the shell, 

 they utter a small but shrill chirp — a certain signal to 

 some watchful Hooded Crow that a prey is at hand : he 

 traces up the sound, drives the mother from her nest, 

 and destroys the whole brood. 



Once fairly hatched, the danger decreases ; the young 



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