2 THE GROUSE 



to behold ; beautiful in plumage ; grace- 

 ful in movement ; devoted and courageous 

 in defence of his young ; while, as an 

 object of sport, he has no equal in this 

 country among the feathered tribes. 



The red grouse is closely connected 

 with the willow grouse (Lagopus albus) 

 of the Continent, and has family relation- 

 ships also with the Capercailzie, Black- 

 cock (or black grouse), and Ptarmigan, 

 which, speaking comprehensively, have 

 much in common with the red grouse in 

 their habitat and life - history. Though 

 found in the British Isles only, the red 

 grouse is widely distributed within this 

 territory, and most numerously in Scot- 

 land. The plumage of the male, which 

 measures about 10 inches, is predominantly 

 red, with points of black and white. That 

 of the female, which is smaller in size than 

 the male bird, is somewhat lighter coloured, 

 though also prevailingly red. The colours 

 of these birds, it may be mentioned, 

 vary somewhat in different localities 

 under the influences of environment, and 



