THE BLACK GROUSE AND PINNATED GROUSE, 443 



iu size, is without the feather tufts on the neck aud the scale-like plum- 

 age ou the sides. 



Cock of the Plains [Tetrao urophisianus), female. 



The well-kuown Black Grouse, or Black Cock, is a native of the 

 more southern countries of Europe, and still survives in many portions 

 of the British Isles, especially those localities where the pine-woods and 

 heaths afford it shelter and it is not dislodged by the presence of human 

 habitations. 



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 note of the 

 Black Cock when thus engaged is loud and resonant, and can be heard 

 at a considerable 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. 



In the autumn the young males separate themselves from the other 

 sex and form a number of little bachelor establishments of their own, 

 living together in harmony until the next breeding season, when they 

 all begin to fall in love. The apple of discord is then thrown among 

 them by the charms of the hitherto repudiated sex, and their rivalries 

 lead them into determined and continual battles, which do not cease 

 until the end of the season restores them to peace and sobriety. 



The general color of the adult male bird is black glossed with blue 

 and purple, except a white band across each wing. The under tail- 

 coverts are white. 



Another fine species of this group is the Pinnated Grouse of 



