148 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



tail-feathers are elongated on either side, and form 

 an outward kind of curving hook. Chin, breast, 

 belly, and flanks black ; vent, thighs, and legs dark- 

 brown, mixed with white ; under tail-coverts white ; 

 toes and claws blackish-brown. 



The female is shorter by four or five inches > 

 and differs considerably in appearance. Her bill 

 is dark brown. Irides hazel. Plumage red or rusty- 

 brown, barred and freckled with black ; the mark- 

 ings are largest on the breast, where the feathers 

 are bordered with greyish-white. The tail is not 

 forked, and the feathers are variegated with rusty- 

 red and black, and tipped with white. Under tail- 

 coverts nearly white. Legs mottled brown ; toes 

 and claws brown. 



Situation and Locality. On the ground, under 

 tufts of dead bracken, brambles, heather, rushes > 

 and coarse grass. I have seen nests quite exposed 

 in open pasture land, and have known cows tread 

 upon and break their eggs in such situations. On 

 rough broken land containing heather, rushes, ling,, 

 gorse, juniper, mixed woods and young plantations. 

 The bird breeds in suitable parts of England, Wales,, 

 and Scotland, but not in Ireland. Our illustration 

 is from a photograph taken in the Highlands of 

 vScotland. 



Materials. Dry grass, bents, fern or bracken, 

 fronds, and other suitable materials at hand, form- 

 ing a scant lining to the selected hollow. 



Eggs. Five to ten ; yellowish- white to yellowish- 

 brown, irregularly spotted with smallish red-brown 

 spots. Size about 2.0 by 1.4 in. Distinguished 

 from those of the Capercaillie by their smaller size_ 

 (See Plate XV.) 



Time. April, May, and June. 



