Book VI L 



GROUSE. 



1053 



733 



bird feeds like the pheasant on insects and seeds, and is particularly fond of those of 

 tlie wild mustard. It has not been domesticated, but may be hatched and reared in 

 die same manner as the pheasant. 



6787, Tlie quail i^Tetrao coturnix, fig. 733.) is a native of the East, and abounds in 

 Egypt, as appears from the supplies the Israelites obtained 

 while in the wilderness, and also in the islands of the Archi- 

 pelago, and in Italy. They migrate from warmer to colder 

 regions. They are naturalized and breed in England, chang- 

 ing their residence within it on the approach of winter from 

 the more exposed to the more temperate districts. They 

 are very abundant in France, and are caught in snares and 

 nets (described by Rozier^, and sent both to the Paris and 

 London markets. The bird was proverbial among the Romans 



as captious and quarrelsome, and is employed among the Chinese for the same amuse- 

 ment as game cocks are in England. Here it is ^^ss*s 734 

 not domesticated, but may be reared and preserved in 

 the same manner as the pheasant and partridge, and 

 its food is nearly the same as that of the latter bird. 



6788. The red grouse, or moor cock, (^Tetrno sco- 

 tics, fig. 734.) is an esteemed variety of gallinacea, 

 pursued with avidity by sportsmen in the mountainous 

 districts of England, Wales, and Scotland, in which 

 latter it abounds, there feeding in plenty among the 

 heather, its favorite food. Its beautiful plumage, and 

 its exquisite flavor, render it an object of considerable interest. 



-^ 6789. The black grouse, or h\2ic\i cocVy^Tetraotetrixy 



Jig.lSS.) is less common than the red grouse, and is 

 therefore more highly prized. It is also larger, weigh- 

 ing nearly four pounds. Its plumage is a rich mixture 

 of black with blue ; relieved by marking of white. 

 Its legs are also covered with very fine minute feathers : 

 and it draws a peculiar characteristic from the curvi- 

 linear form of the tail, which branches out at the end 

 into two crooked expansions. 



6790. The wood grouse, or cock of the wood, ( Tetrao 

 urogallus,Jig. 736. ) is, after the bustard, the largest bird 

 among those we call game ; it being little less than a 

 turkey. It was originally common in the mountainous 

 parts of Britain ; but is now nearly if not wholly ex- 

 tinct with us ; though still common in the northern parts 

 of Europe, where it lives in pine forests, on the cones 

 of which it is supposed to subsist ; and which at some ' 

 seasons gives its flesh a terebinthinated taste : at other 

 times it is delicious' eating, and is often sent to Eng- 

 land frozen. Like the other grouse he has the scarlet 

 patch on his head, his legs are defended in the same 

 manner by a feathered covering, and his whole mark- 

 ings are equally varied and beautiful. From the rich- 

 ness of the plumage in all the varieties of the tetrao, 

 and from the extreme delicacy of their flesh as an article 

 of food, it is to be lamented that attempts are not made to domesticate them in addition 

 to our other poultry. It is thought by observant sportsmen, and scientific naturalists, 

 that this might be attended with less difficulty than the domesticating the partridge and 

 pheasant : and the attempt is recommended to the patriotic amateur. 



6791. The lark (Alatida arvensis, L.) and other birds were reared and fatted by the 

 Romans for the table. The lark is caught by nets and other means in some of the open 

 districts of England, as about Dunstable, Cambridge, &c., and brought to market for 

 the table, as are various other birds by a particular class of men known as bird-catchers. 

 It is an idle uncertain kind of life not to be recommended. 



6792. Of singing birds, a great variety are domesticated ; and their breeding and rear- 

 ing forms a very peculiar and curious branch of rural economy. Not only all the birds 

 which please l)y their natural song are domesticated and kept in cages ; as the canary, 

 nightingale, lark, linnet, finch, thrush, &c., but even some which do not sing in a wild 

 state, as the sparrow, hammer, &c., are by art taught the notes of other birds. 



6793. Wild singing birds are caught by various devices, according to the species of 

 bird, and season of the year. The pairing season in spring, generally March and April, 

 is on the whole the best season, and the common means are a net called a clap trap, a 



