The Black Grouse Natural History. 133 



March and April earlier or the reverse according to the 

 season the packs in which the males have associated them- 

 selves during the winter are broken up, and each bird pre- 

 pares for breeding, the habit being polygamous. A good 

 deal of fighting goes on for the possession of certain much 

 affected sites, and the old cock birds, as a rule, are superior 

 in point of prowess to the young ones. Consequently, it 

 is well that the old cocks should be cleared off as far as 

 possible during the season, leaving the young ones oppor- 

 tunity to breed without hindrance. The nest is decided 

 upon in May ; it is of very primitive construction, consist- 

 ing merely of a circular hollow in the ground, indifferently 

 lined with such morsels of herbage as may be brought in 

 by the bird. It is generally placed in a tuft of heather on 

 the open moor, at a spot well sheltered and dry, yet near 

 to water ; sometimes in a low young plantation, at the base 

 of some thick shrub Or bush. We have also known it in 

 a low hedgerow. The eggs, from three to thirteen, but 

 averaging seven or eight, are laid invariably in the month 

 of May, difference of locality and season apparently not 

 influencing the matter. It is said that the hen black grouse 

 or grey hen never "lays nor incubates till three years old," 

 but this is incorrect, and though perhaps both sexes of the 

 black grouse are longer in reaching maturity than their red 

 congeners, we have every reason to believe that at two years, 

 and even one year old, the females lay and incubate. 



As soon as incubation commences the cocks desert the 

 hens, and again congregate in small packs in quiet and 

 secluded parts until the process of moulting, which now 

 begins, is completed. The whole work of rearing and pro- 



