22 BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN 



old at the outside. Grouse have been known to 

 nest as early as February, but personally I have 

 never seen eggs before the end of April, and the 

 usual nesting time is the first three weeks of May. 



GROUSE'S NEST IN A TUFT OF RUSHES. 



The nest is, usually, made amongst fairly long 

 heather or ling, and is well hidden. The eggs 

 number from six to twelve ; sometimes even more. 

 They are beautifully speckled and blotched with 

 dark brown, and harmonise very well with the 

 surrounding heather. The hen is a fairly close 

 sitter, especially when incubation is far advanced ; 



