4 o2 NORTHERN EUROPE 



shores of the northern seas, such as Sweden, Denmark, the forests of Jutland, the 

 German border's of the North Sea and Baltic, Mecklenburg, and the islands of 

 Riigen and Hiddensee. In length the male measures about 34 inches, the female 

 being a little larger and at all ages lighter coloured. The beak of the male is blackish 

 in young birds, and light yellow in the adults ; the naked part of the leg, as well 

 as the toes, being yellow. The plumage, which is spotted in the young, is uniform 

 dark brown in the old birds ; the wedge-like tail, which projects a little beyond 

 the wings, being white with brown coverts, while the head is brown in youth and 

 dirty white in old age. 



The hawks are represented by the goshawk and sparrow-hawk as far north 

 as suitable forests are to be found. The marsh-harrier ceases to appear above 

 60° N. latitude, but the hen-harrier ranges as far as 68° N., while Montagu's harrier 

 is unknown north of the Gulf of Finland. 



Among the game-birds, the capereaillie ranges to the utmost limit 

 of the pine-woods, and is found at the North Cape ; the black- 

 cock is found farther north : and the hazel-hen, which is common in southern 

 Scandinavia, Esthonia, and Livonia, appears to range still farther. Besides these, 

 five kinds of ptarmigan (Lagopus) are spread over Europe, northern Asia, and 

 North America; all of which may easily be distinguished by their completely 

 feathered feet. The willow-grouse {Lagopus albus) is circumpolar, inhabiting the 

 north of Europe, Asia, and America ; its favourite haunts being the tundras and open 

 moors, with stunted trees and shrubs. On the tundras it is found both in the 

 plains and the hilly districts, and in Scandinavia inhabits mountains of moderate 

 height. In Germany it is confined to the north-eastern corner of Prussia, but 

 it is common on the eastern moors of Courland, Esthonia, and Livonia, and in the 

 neighbourhood of St. Petersburg, although decreasing in consequence of the spread 

 of agriculture. It is absent from Greenland and Iceland, where the true ptarmigan 

 is indigenous. In south-eastern Siberia the willow-grouse occurs everywhere 

 north of 58° N. latitude; in the Taimur peninsula it is found up to 72° 30', and 

 in North America ranges between 50° and 70° N. latitude. 



Some willow-grouse winter in their breeding-haunts, others migrate south 

 to the zone of birch and willow, and return in April or May. The nest is nothing 

 but a small hollow in the ground, lined with dry plants, generally near a bush, 

 and in Norway often close to farmyards. The eggs, which vary from eight to twelve, 

 and sometimes more, in number, are laid in the first half of June or a little later. In 

 colour they are j'ellowish, with more or less distinct reddish brown spots and dots. 

 The cocks fight each other in defence of their nesting-places, but join in driving 

 back a more formidable enemy, and occasionally force even foxes to retreat ; but 

 the female takes the principal share in looking after the young. When unable to 

 defend her brood, the hen feigns lameness, and thus successfully withdraws attention 

 from her young, to which she returns when the danger is past. When pursued 

 by men and dogs, both sexes endeavour to distract attention from the brood, 

 although the male does not accompany the young until after the first fortnight, 

 when they are able to fly. By the beginning of September the young birds are 

 full grown, and in October the various families collect in large parties to search 

 for richer feeding-grounds. When first hatched, the young are down}' and spotted ; 



