168 HISTORY OF 



covering suited to the season ; it is then clothed 

 with a warm down beneath, and its outward 

 plumage assumes the colour of the snows amongst 

 which it seeks its food. Thus it is doubly fitted 

 for the place, by the warmth and the colour of its 

 plumage ; the one to defend it from the cold, the 

 other to prevent its being noticed by the enemy. 

 Those of Barakonda, on the other hand, are 

 longer legged, much swifter of foot, and choose 

 the highest rocks and precipices to reside in. 



They all, however, agree in one character, of 

 being 1 immoderately addicted to venery, and, as 

 some writers affirm, often to an unnatural degree* 

 It is certain the male will pursue the hen even 

 to her nest, and will break her eggs rather than 

 not indulge his inclinations. Though the young 

 ones have kept together in flocks during the 

 winter, when they begin to pair in spring their 

 society disperses, and combats, very terrible with 

 respect to each other, ensue. Their manners, in 

 other circumstances, resemble all those of poul- 

 try in general ; but their cunning and instincts 

 seem superior to those of the larger kinds. Per- 

 haps, as they live in the very neighbourhood of 

 their enemies, they have more frequent occasion 

 to put their little arts in practice, and learn, by 

 habit, the means of evasion or safety. When- 

 ever, therefore, a dog, or other formidable animal 

 approaches their nest, the female uses every 

 means to draw him away. She keeps just before 

 him, pretends to be incapable of flying, just hops 

 up and then falls down before him, but never 

 goes off so fur -as to discourage her pursuer. At 



