^ THE GROUSE. 



and not in great abundance. The male bird generally weighs 

 about four pounds, of a beautiful black colour, with the tail 

 forked in a peculiar manner. The female is much less than 

 the male, and altogether different in plumage ; her colour is 

 brown, and from her appearance she might be easily mistaken 

 for a bird of a different species. These birds are found in toler- 

 able abundance in some parts of the Highlands of Scotland, as 

 well as on the borders of that country ; and are also to be met 

 with on the hilly parts of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, in De- 

 vonshire, and also in the New Forest, in Hampshire. They 

 breed on the heathy moors : but are generally found in the vi- 

 cinity of woods and corn fields, where they frequently feed. The 

 shooting season for black game commences on the 20th August. 

 They he remarkably well at the beginning of the season, but 

 soon become very wild, and will often fly to a great height. 



Their food is various, but principally consists of mountain 

 fruits and berries, and in winter the tops of heath, as well as 

 the cones of the pine tree, and corn where they can procure it. 

 It is somewhat remarkable that cherries and pease are fatal to 

 these birds. They perch and roost in the same manner as the 

 pheasant. 



The red grouse > or moor game, is found in most of the moun- 

 tainous districts of the united kingdom : I will state a few par- 

 ticulars respecting them : 



The grouse is a bird which is found Jn different parts of the 

 globe, and of which there are various kinds. However, as this 

 volume is intended not for the naturalist, but the sportsman, it 

 will be necessary to describe only those which breed in Great 

 Britain, and that kind Jn particular, which is the general object 

 of pursuit, and which is known by the name of red grouse, or 

 moor game. 



These birds are larger than the partridge ; the male weighing 

 about nineteen to twenty four ounces. The bill is black, the 



