PECULIARITIES IN PAIRING. 91 



together during the greater part of the summer. We 

 have also had opportunities of observing the polyga- 

 mous manners of the black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), 

 which much resemble those of the wild turkey, 

 inasmuch as the males congregate in autumn, and 

 may be seen in parties of a dozen or more in Glen- 

 daruel and other wooded and marshy defiles of the 

 Western Highlands of Scotland. On the approach of 

 spring, however, those which have spent the winter 

 in harmonious companionship gradually become 

 irascible, and not only separate by reciprocal con- 

 sent, but exhibit rancorous hostility whenever they 

 encounter any of their former associates. Each cock 

 chooses a particular station, over which he assumes 

 paramount authority ; and if a rival venture within 

 his boundaries, he must either conquer the first 

 settler, or pay the penalty of his intrusion by defeat, 

 and probably by death. That none may be unap- 

 prized of the situation of his territory, he takes care 

 to proclaim his rights by crowing aloud, particularly 

 in the morning, when birds leave their roosts to 

 forage for the day. His call, while it warns his 

 rivals off his domain, invites such females as may be 

 within hearing to resort to the place, where he 

 receives them with proud strutting and drooping of 

 the wings and tail, somewhat similar to what we 

 have just recorded respecting the turkey-cock*. 

 During the pairing season the skin of the eye- 

 brows becomes intensely red, and the whole plumage 

 more brightly coloured t, as in other birds. At the 

 beginning of May the hens begin to lay. 



Another species, the ruffed grouse of America 



(Tetrao umbellus) proceeds much in the same 



manner ; though the call of the cock, as described 



by Audubon J and Wilson , is very peculiar. When 



* J. R. f Selby, Illustrations, p. 305. 



J Oruith. Biog. p. 215. Wils. Am. Orn. vi. 46. 



