242 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



The measurements of the capercailzie, black- 

 cock, and grouse, are as follows : 



(Male. 36 inches. 

 Capercailzie - \ ^ . ,, . , 



[Female, 26 inches. 



('Male, 22 inches. 



Blackcock - ] Female, i 5 inches (called the 

 [ gray-hen). 



(Male, i 5 inches. 

 Grouse - - - \ ' . , 



[Female, 14 inches. 



The ptarmigan, or white grouse, is not found 

 in any part of Great Britain except Scot- 

 land, though it frequents various other parts of 

 the world Europe, Asia, and North America. 

 It is, however, frequently confused with the 

 willow grouse, a large and more common variety 

 of the same order. In length, the ptarmigan 

 measures some fifteen inches. In winter its 

 plumage is white, save for the black eye-stripes 

 which distinguish the male from the female. 

 The summer plumage of the male bird is black 

 above, with brown and white markings on the 

 lower portion of the back, the wings and under 

 parts being white ; the wattle above the eyes 

 is scarlet. At the same period the plumage of 

 the female is buff above, barred and marked 

 with black lines, and with white tips to the 

 feathers. The transition plumage during autumn 

 is singularly handsome, being a curious and 

 beautiful blending of grays, browns, black, and 



