390 GROUSE 
(Vaccinium and others) that, often thickly interspersed with willows 
and birches, clothes the higher levels or the lower mountain-slopes, 
and it contrives to flourish in the New World where heather 
scarcely exists, and a “heath” in its strict sense is unknown. It 
is true likewise that the Willow-Grouse always becomes white in 
winter, which the Red Grouse never does; but then we find that 
in summer there is a considerable resemblance between the two 
species, the cock Willow-Grouse having his head, neck, and breast 
of the same rich chestnut-brown as his British representative, 
and, though his back be lighter in colour, as is also the whole 
plumage of his mate, than is found in the Red Grouse, in other 
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RED GROUSE. 
respects than those named above the two species are precisely alike. 
No distinction can be discovered in their voice, their eggs, their 
build, nor in their anatomical details, so far as these have been 
investigated and compared. In connexion too with this matter it 
should not be overlooked that the Red Grouse, restricted as is its 
range, varies in colour not inconsiderably, and game-dealers of 
experience assert that they are able to pronounce at sight the 
native district of almost any bird that comes to their hands.’ 
1 A very interesting subject for discussion would be whether Lagopus scoticus 
or L. albus has varied most from the common stock of both. I can here but 
briefly indicate the more salient points that might arise. Looking to the fact 
that the former is the only species of the genus which does not assume white 
clothing in winter, an evolutionist might at first deem the variation greatest in 
its case ; but then it must be borne in mind that the species of Lagopus which 
