BLACK GROUSE. 73 



lay in the same nest of by no means unfrequent occurrence, but 

 others even, in which Pheasants' eggs have been found in Par- 

 tridges' nests. Many instances are on record of the Pheasant 

 inter-breeding with other birds, such as the Guinea Fowl, the 

 Black Grouse, and the Common Fowl. The cross last named is 

 by no means uncommon, and a remarkably fine male specimen of 

 the produce of a Cock Pheasant and Speckled Hamburg Hen 

 occurred here (one of four birds which were hatched) a few years 

 since. The Pheasant's tail and head and general shape as well as 

 fashion of feathers (with access of size) were united to the shades 

 and markings of the plumage of the mother. The bird in question 

 was so inveterate in his visits to the neighbouring farm-yard in 

 order to challenge the Cocks who dwelt there, and so sure to kill 

 them outright, or maim or maul them so severely that they had to 

 be killed, that it became necessarv to put him out of the way 

 himself, and his present memorial is his remarkably well-stuffed 

 skin. Fig. 2, plate VI. 



III. TETOAONIDJS. 

 152. CAPERCAILLIE (Tetrao urogallus). 

 Cock of the Woods, Wood Grouse, Cock of the Mountain, 

 Great Grouse, Capercailzie, Capercally. An indigenous inhabi- 

 tant of this country, but one which had become, or was becoming, 

 extinct, a few years ago. Now it is becoming comparatively 

 abundant again on the estates of several large and noble owners, 

 principally in Scotland. It is indeed a very noble bird, and well 

 worthy the care and attention and expense which have been 

 devoted to the attempt to re-establish it. The female makes her 

 nest on the ground, and lays from six to ten or twelve eggs. 

 These are of a pale reddish-yellow brown, spotted all over with 

 two shades of darker orange brown. Fig. 3, plate Vi. 



153. BLACK GROUSE (Tetrao tetrix). 

 Black Cock, Black Game, Heath Cock, Heath Poult, and the 

 female, Grey Hen, sometimes Brown Hen. Still found in some 

 districts out of the north of England, where wild and hilly forest 

 still remains, but of much more frequent occurrence in more 

 northerly localities. In fact, the gradual and very complete 

 demolition of the last remains of what were once very extensive 

 forests has completely banished the Black Grouse from places 

 where it used to be common within the memory of living men. 

 It is a very handsome bird, and like the Capercailly and 

 the Pheasant, does not pair. The hen makes a very slight nest 

 on the ground, and lays in it seven to nine or ten eggs, of a some- 

 what less warm ground-shade than those last named, but with 

 larger and brighter-coloured spots and blotches. Fig. 



