224 BRITISH AND EUROPEAN BIRDS. 



The voice of the Heath-Cock was heard loud and shrill; 

 Many groups of Red-Grouse, too, rose over the hill. 



of those of a pheasant. Inhabits tlie mountainoos and woody 

 districts of England and Europe at large. 



Accordingf to Pennant this bird is remarkable for his 

 exultation during the spring, when he calls the hen to his haunts 

 with a loud and shrill voice, and is so inattentive to his safety as 

 to be easily shot. 



"High on exulting wing the Heath-Cock rose, 

 And blew his shrill blast o'er perennial snows.^' 



Rogers's Pleasures of Memory. 



The Scoticus, Ked-Grouse, Ard-Game, Moor-Cock, or Gor- 

 Cock, is sixteen inches long, transversely streaked with rufous 

 and blackisii ; six outer tail feathers on each side blackish. 

 Colours of the female not so dark as the male. Eggs 

 from eight to fourteen, like those of the Black-Grouse, but 

 smaller. Inhabits extensive uncultivated wastes covered with 

 heath in Wales, Yorkshire, and the Highlands of Scotland. 

 Found in flocks of thirty or forty in the winter season. 



** Sounds strange and fearful there to hear, 

 'Mongst desert hills where, leagues around, 

 Dwelt hut tlie Gor-cock and the deer." 



Sir Walter Scott's Bridal of Triermain, Canto Hi, 



The Cupido, Pinnated-Grouse, Heath-Hen^ Prarie-Heiif 

 Mountain-Cock, or Banen-Hen. The last name given to it in 

 consequence of its being found on the wild tracts of America 

 called barrens. This bird is the size of a pheasant ; length 

 nineteen inches; weighs three pounds aud a half; plumage 

 reddish brown, transversely barred with black and white 

 waved lines ; feathers of the head elongated into a crest ; on 

 each side of the neck a tuft of feathers ; under the neck tufts, in 

 the male, are two wrinkled bladders, which the bird can in- 



