490 



THE BLACK GROUSE, OR BLACK COCK. 



Like the two preceding species, the male bird resorts at the beginning of the breeding 

 season to some open spot where he utters his love-calls, and displays his new clothes to the 

 greatest advantage, for the purpose of attracting to his harem as many wives as possible. The 



BLACK GROUSE. Tetrao tetrix. 



note of the Black Cock when thus engaged is loud and resonant, and can be heard at a consid- 

 erable distance. This crowing sound is accompanied by a harsh, grating, stridulous kind of 

 cry, which has been likened to the noise produced by whetting a scythe. The Black Cock 

 does not pair, but leaves his numerous mates to the duties of maturity and incubation, and 

 follows his own desires while they prepare their nests, lay tlieir eggs, hatch them, and bring 

 up the young. The. mother-bird is a fond and watchful parent, and when she has been alarmed 



