116 GAME BIRDS AND SHOOTING-SKETCHES 



betraying any signs of fear, within a few yards of the 

 bush in which I have been seated in full view. On such 

 occasions as these, if one is able to imitate the call of the 

 hen fairly well, the cocks will become greatly excited, and 

 will fly round about and endeavour to draw the imaginary 

 enchantress from her place of concealment with all the 

 arts and blandishments of which they are capable. 



Grouse are no exception to the rest of the game birds 

 in respect of the pugnacious qualities which they develop 

 in spring whilst the selection of their respective mates is 

 in progress. Males in the attitude of fighting erect and 

 expand the tail much after the manner of Blackgame, 

 which species they closely resemble at a distance ; and 

 as the cock Grouse at intervals throws up his wings on 

 striking, he thus presents to the spectator the flash of 

 white which is so noticeable when Blackgame are engaged 

 in conflict. So closely do the two species resemble each 

 other at a distance, that, were it not for the difference in 

 the sounds they emit, it would be difficult for the observer 

 to distinguish between them. 



When cock Grouse are fioiitino- the contest is savao-e 



O' O 



enough as lono- as it lasts ; but this is usuallv not 



/ 



protracted, as there are seldom more than two engaged, 

 and one or other of the combatants, when he finds he 

 is likely to come off second best, proceeds to make 

 himself scarce. Generally speaking, the vanquished one, 

 during the few moments of contest, has had such a 

 rough handling that he is only too glad to clear out 

 altogether ; yet it often happens that the one which 

 at the beginning got the best of the fight becomes so 

 highly elated with his success that he follows up his 



