THE WILLOW GROUSE 55 



actly alike. The dress of each bird is contin- 

 ually changing, (they moult three times a 

 year) varying the proportion of each colored 

 area and seeming to put on the new coat a 

 feather at a time before the last suit is fairly 

 donned. In winter they are snow white ex- 

 cept the tail feathers, which are black, white 

 tipped, and the wing quill shafts, also black. 

 There is a red patch above the eye as in the 

 spruce grouse. The legs and feet are covered, 

 even down to the ends of the toes, with fine, 

 hair-like feathers which make them a good pair 

 of snow shoes. It needs sharp eyes to see them 

 where they crouch in the snow when clad in 

 their winter garb, lying motionless in the drifts, 

 or when in summer their coat of reddish brown 

 matches so well the dead grass and bare rocks 

 of their chosen wilderness. 



If pursued they may dash off to a safe dis- 

 tance, then coming to earth may run a little 

 way, then suddenly squat upon the ground, re- 

 maining motionless until the danger has passed 

 or they are forced to fly to prevent capture. If 

 the snow be on the ground they may dash head- 

 long into the loose drifts, making their way 

 well into them, to remain hidden; or mayhap 



