PTARMIGAN. 177 



The tail is much forked. In the female the colours and 

 general appearance differ very considerably from those 

 of the male. 



Red Grouse, or Red Game. During the wintet season 

 these birds are usually found in flocks, or packs, as they 

 are termed by sportsmen, consisting of forty or fifty in 

 number. They subsist on heath, the mountain-berries, 

 and corn. In most of their habits they are closely allied 

 to the last species. They form their nest on the ground, 

 and lay from eight to ten eggs. They are in great request 

 for the table. Red Grouse are inhabitants, principally, of 

 the heathy and mountainous parts of England, Scotland, 

 and Wales. 



Their usual weight is from fifteen to nineteen ounces. 

 Their head and neck are of a light tawny-red colour. The 

 back and scapulars are deeper red. The quill- feathers 

 are dusky, and the tail-feathers black, except the four 

 intermediate ones, which are barred with red. 



Ptarmigan, or White Game. It is a singular and 

 pleasing ordination of Providence, that these birds, which 

 are found on the highest summits of the mountains of 

 Scotland, and other parts of the north of Europe, change 

 their brown summer plumage at the commencement of 

 winter, for one which is perfectly white, and by which 

 means they are secured, amongst the snows, from the 

 observation of predatory animals. They are so little 

 alarmed at the appearance of mankind, that they may be 

 driven in flocks almost like poultry. They feed on the 

 buds and young shoots of trees, on insects, and berries ; 

 and construct their nests on the ground, the females lay- 

 ing from six to ten dusky eggs, marked with reddish- 



i 5 



