482 TETRAONID.E; PTARMIGAN, SAND GROUSE. 



destruction of the forests it inhabited, many attempts have been 

 made to re-naturalize it, by introducing individuals from Norway ; 

 in the mountainous parts of which country it is still plentiful. 

 This species is of considerable size, being not much inferior to the 

 Turkey in bulk, and more robust in proportion. Its food 

 consists. of the leaves and buds of the fir tribe, together with 

 juniper-berries, cranberries, &c. ; the young are fed at first with 

 insects, and especially with the larvae of ants. This fine Bird is 

 often domesticated in Sweden, and will breed in confinement. 

 The Ptarmigans are nearly allied to the Grouse, but are destined 

 to inhabit still colder regions. They frequent the open heaths 

 and hill-sides of the northern parts of the temperate zone ; and 

 one species, the Grey Ptarmigan, is only found near the submits 

 of the loftier hills. The chief peculiarity in their structure 

 consists in the covering of their legs and toes with thick hair-like 

 feathers, down to the very claws ; and this covering becomes so 

 thick and deep in winter, as to give to the leg the appearance of 

 a Hare's foot, from which the scientific name of the genus, 

 Lagopus, is derived. The base of the beak, also, is covered with 

 closely-set feathers ; and these increase in the colder season, until 

 little more than the point of the bill is visible. Their food con- 

 sists of mountain-berries and heath-shoots in summer ; and of 

 buds and leaves in winter ; and at the latter season, the Birds are 

 often obliged to burrow under the snow for food and shelter. 

 Two species are inhabitants of Britain ; the Brown Ptarmigan, 

 or Moor-Fowl, commonly termed the Red Grouse, which is 

 common on the high moorland districts of the northern counties 

 of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland ; and the Grey Ptar- 

 migan^ sometimes called the Alpine Partridge. It is in this last 

 species that the adaptation to a residence among bleak and 

 snow-clad hills is best seen. Its mingled grey and brown sum- 

 mer livery blends so well with the hues of weather-stained and 

 lichen-tinted rocks, that a whole covey of them may be easily 

 passed without being noticed ; and towards winter, the colour ot 

 the plumage gradually disappears, until it becomes of a pure 

 white, not distinguishable from snow. The Sand- Grouse, arc 

 distinguished by their long pointed wings, and by the conical 



