BLACK GKOUSE.— I'ed-oo tetrix. 



The general colour of the adiilt male bird is black glossed with blue and purple, 

 except a white band across each wing. The under taU-coverts are white. The remarkable 

 form of the tail is caused by the peculiar development of the exterior feathers.^three, four, 

 or even five of which are laterally curved, the outermost being the longest and having the 

 most decided curve. Their ends are somewhat squared. The colouring of the female is 

 quite different. Her general colour is brown, with a tinge of orange, barred with 

 black and speckled with the same hue, the spots and bars being larger on tiie breast, back, 

 and wings, and the feathers on the breast more or less edged with white. The under taU- 

 coverts are greyish white. The total length of the adult male is about twenty-two inches, 

 and that of the female from seventeen to eighteen inches. She also weighs nearly one- 

 third less than her mate, and is popukirly termed the Heath Hen. 



Anothek fine species of this group is the Pinnated Grouse oi North America. 



This bird is found almost wholly in open dry plains on wliich are a few trees or tufts 

 of brushwood, pines and shrub-oaks being the most favoured shelter. Like the greater 

 part of the group, the males "play" at the breeding season, rufliing their feathers, erecting 

 their neck-tufts, swelling out their wattles, and uttering their strange love-cries. At this 

 time the Pinnated Grouse is particularly remarkable for the large size and bright orange 

 colour of the naked sacculated appendages which hang at each side of the neck, and 

 which can be filled with air until they are nearly of the same size and colour as a Seville 

 orange, or can be permitted to hang loosely along the neck. The males are great fighters 

 on these occasions, and dash fiercely against each other, though to all appearance these 

 combats are more notable for display than for effect, little or no damage seeming to be 

 done or sullered by either party. 



