NESTS OF THE RED GROUSE. 205 



in the cabinets of the generality of amateurs, but 

 might deceive even the most learned of our scien- 

 tific oologists. 



It would appear that feathered game, and in- 

 deed gallinaceous birds of all kinds, are exposed to 

 more formidable foes than the members of any 

 other order in this class of animated beings, and 

 require legal protection and care in a greater or 

 less degree, not merely to ensure their increase, 

 but even to prevent their extinction.* Occupy- 

 ing the same station (rasores) among birds, as do 

 cattle (ruminantia) among quadrupeds, their con- 

 siderable size and comparatively defenceless struc- 

 ture render them an acceptable feast and an easy 

 prey to their numerous enemies. 



The nests of the red grouse and indeed even 

 of the ptarmigan, suffer from the attacks of a 

 feathered plunderer, whose depredations on the 

 heaths and mountains, it must be confessed, far 

 exceed those of any other. This is the hooded 

 crow (corvus comix). When we recollect the 

 nature of the country that these birds frequent, 

 their immense numbers, the facility with which 



* This has once occurred with the capercaillie in Scotland, 

 where it was strictly indigenous ; and who can doubt that the 

 pheasant an exotic would eventually share the same fate in 

 England, if the game laws, deficient arid unsatisfactory as they 

 are, were to be repealed. 



