TETRAONID^. 



THE BLACK GROUSE, inhabiting in small numbers a few 

 particularly wild localities in some of the southern counties 

 of England, is much more numerous in the north, and from 

 Northumberland, throughout the greater part of Scotland, 

 is found in considerable quantities where well-wooded and 

 mountainous districts afford shelter and winter food. They 

 are also found, according to Mr. Macgillivray, on the islands 

 of Mull and Skye, in the Hebrides, but not on any of the 

 islands of Orkney and Shetland. 



The Black Grouse, our name is considered to be derived 

 from the Persian word, groos, though partial to bogs and 

 morasses, where the herbage grows rank and strong, is 

 more arboreal in its habits than either the Red Grouse 

 or the Ptarmigan ; and like the Capercaillie, last described, 

 it does not pair, but the males in the spring resort to some 

 particular elevated and open spots, where they may be 

 heard in the morning and evening repeating their call of 

 invitation to the other sex, and displaying a variety of 

 attitudes, trailing their wings, raising and spreading their 

 tails, accompanied, as Mr. Selby observes, by a crowing 

 note, and by another sound similar to that made by the 

 whetting of a scythe ; their voice is loud, and may be heard 

 from a considerable distance ; their plumage is at this time 

 in the highest perfection. The other sex assemble at the 

 well-known call ; but, like the hens of the last species, 

 they do not long retain the attentions of their sable lords. 

 The females make a slight nest on the ground, frequently 

 under shelter of some low thick bush, in which they de- 

 posit from six to eight eggs : these are yellowish white, 

 spotted and speckled with orange brown; two inches in 

 length, by one inch five lines in breadth. The dreary 

 task of incubation is performed by the female only, and, 

 being deserted by the male, upon her alone devolves the 

 care and provision of the brood. In their first plumage 



