BLACK GROUSE. 



363 



ticularly in old birds, and in those from northern latitudes ; 

 under tail-coverts nearly white ; feathers on the legs pale 

 yellow brown ; toes and claws brown. 



The whole length is seventeen to eighteen inches ; from 

 the carpal joint to the end of the wing, nine inches. 



Several instances have occurred in which the females of 

 this species have assumed, to a considerable extent, the 

 colouring of the plumage of the male. The intermixture of 

 some decidedly black feathers gives them a varied and 

 handsome appearance. 



