348 



TETRAONID^E. 



never stinted in its supply of food. Moreover, as it rarely 

 wanders far from its heath-clad home, it would pro- 

 bably, if it enjoyed the privilege of insignificance, be 

 abundant in all the extensive waste lands of Britain. 

 But its large size, the excellent flavour of its flesh, and 

 the excitement of the sport which it affords, all tend to 

 keep down its numbers, so that a moor well stocked with 

 Black Grouse is a possession not to be thought lightly of 



THE BLACK GKOUSE. 



by the highest and wealthiest. The male bird is, in sport- 

 ing phraseology, a Black Cock, the female a Grey Hen ; 

 and it is the etiquette of the field to shoot Cocks only, 

 the Hens being left for breeding. The Black Cock re- 

 sembles, in one of its most striking peculiarities, its near 

 relative, the Capercaillie. " During the spring," says Mr. 

 St. John, " and also in the autumn, about the time the 

 first hoar frosts are felt, I have often watched the Black 

 Cocks in the early morning, when they collect on some 



