212 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



above the surrounding hills. The younger birds are not 

 allowed to approach until they have fought their way 

 into the lists. The strongest birds, of course, secure the 

 largest number of mates, sometimes as many as five or 

 six, with whom they live until the nesting time begins 

 late in May. As soon as the eggs are laid the ungallant 

 Blackcock deserts his numerous wives. He leaves them 

 to bring up their broods by themselves, and betakes 

 himself to the seclusion of his wild home, where he 

 prepares for his annual change of plumage. The hen 

 bird makes a slight nest, generally artfully concealed 

 amongst the luxuriant growth of rushes, bracken, or 

 other coarse vegetation merely a shallow hole, in which 

 she lays from six to ten eggs, yellowish brown, spotted 

 with dark brown. The young birds are difficult to rear, 

 wet seasons being especially fatal to them. Many nests 

 are often washed away through being made too near the 

 water. The Blackcock sometimes hybridises with the 

 hen Red Grouse ; and it has been known to do so with 

 the Pheasant, the Willow Grouse (the Continental 

 representative of the British Grouse), and even with 

 domestic fowls. Hybrids between the Blackcock and the 

 female Capercailie are, however, much more frequent, 

 and are very handsome birds. It is a curious fact that 

 the male offspring of these crosses most closely resemble 

 the male Capercailie, and the females the hen of the 

 Black Grouse. 



