THE RED GROUSE, 311 



Black Grouse, a bird, by the way, often in the trees, 

 and resembling the Red Grouse in its appearance. 



In cold stormy weather Grouse are found in greatest 

 plenty on the sheltered hill sides, and lie still closer than 

 is their wont. Once on the wing at these times, how- 

 ever, they fly with increased rapidity, the wind aiding 

 them in their flight. As a rule, when flushed, these birds 

 fly but a short distance, although they sometimes go a 

 mile or more before alighting. 



The Red Grouse is a monogamous species, and pairs 

 very early in the season, although we seldom find their 

 nests till early May. Amongst the heather, under a 

 stunted bush, or beneath the shelter of a mass of rock, 

 a home can speedily be arranged. Simple it is in the 

 extreme, merely a hollow lined with a few sprigs of the 

 heath, and mayhap one or two withered leaves and 

 bents. In this cavity the female bird lays from eight to 

 twelve handsome eggs, creamy white in ground colour, 

 speckled and mottled all over with deep purplish-brown. 

 They are about the size of a Pheasant's, possibly a little 

 smaller. Few birds sit more closely than she, and her 

 mate is seldom far away. You may walk near her, yet 

 she stirs not ; you may stand and gaze at her as she 

 lies crouching low and fearful over her priceless charge, 

 and she remains quiet and motionless as the rock which 

 partially shields her home. You cannot help admiring 

 how her own mottled plumage resembles the colours of 

 the heath, and how beautifully nature has provided her 

 with protective powers. Should you bend down to ex- 

 amine her more closely, personal safety masters her 

 maternal love, and she glides rapidly and silently away, 

 leaving her eggs exposed to your view. But one brood 

 is hatched in the season, although if the first clutch of 

 eggs be destroyed the birds will sometimes lay again. 



