8 THE GROUSE SUBFAMILY 



and on the Western Islands, and is also common in the Orkneys, but introductions 

 to the Shetiands have not been successful In Ireland it is resident on the moun- 

 tains and the bogs of the central plain, but is not numerous ; and in the Isle of 

 Man. where it had become extinct, has recently been reintroduced. [F. c. B. j.] 



3. Migration. Resident. Except that the higher grounds are vacated in 

 winter the species is quite stationary. Examples occasionally occur at some 

 distance from their usual haunts, especially in severe weather, and have even 

 occurred at some of the Irish light-stations (cf. Ussher and Warren, B. of IrdameL, 

 1900, p. 230). [A.UT.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. The nest is a mere hollow among header, ling, or i 

 pasture, scantily fined with dead grasses and moss, and 



twigs, and is the work of the hen bird. (PLux.) The number of 



from 7 to 12, but instances of 13, 14. 15, and even 17 hare 1 



last at any rate was almost eertamry the pradnee of two hens. The] 



the eggs Tarie 



and spotted aH over with 



and at other 



off when the eggs are first laid. Average sire of 36 eggs, 1*79 x 1-25 in. [45-5x31-3 



to Mr. H.& Gladstone; an egg hatched m an incubator on the 24tk day (W. Evam). 



Bats AMe ^^fi fi^pitn^i m 

 third week in April m 

 north. Only one brood is reared dming the season, though a i 



if the first is destroyed, [r. c. m. j.] 



5. Food. Mainly the young shoots of htsthri and Bag, 

 plants are not found, the shoots and fruit of the crowberry 

 In the * the seeds of audguB, gram, and wild fruits and berries. The 

 feed on flies, caterpillars, and other ineecte, and the shoots of 

 and are if fompaastil m tteir search for food by both parents, [w. F. r.] 



PTARMIGAN [X-fo>u ih (Montm). 

 I 



