J3LACK GROUSE. 335 



approach of strangers. Not only may all that are 

 within the spread of a musket-shot be killed at one 

 shot, but they may be struck a second time with a 

 stick, so eager are they for victory among themselves. 

 The nests, like those of most of the gallinaceous birds, 

 are rude ; the eggs are usually six or seven ; they are 

 of a yellowish white, dotted with very minute ferru- 

 ginous specks ; and about the size of those of the 

 pheasant. The young are produced rather late in the 

 season, but as there is then plenty of food, they grow 

 rapidly. In their early stage they follow the mother, 

 and nestle under her wings in some safe place during 

 the night ; but after about five weeks, they have ac- 

 quired so much strength and use of their wings as to 

 be able to perch along with her. As the winter sets 

 in, the different families leave their mothers, and the 

 whole assemble in flocks like the red grouse. They 

 are never, so far as our observation has gone, found, 

 like those, even in the margins of the cultivated fields, 

 but continue in the mountains during the winter ; find- 

 ing, as is supposed, their food under the snow, and 

 being also often found in their retreats by beasts and 

 birds of prey. 



When the snow begins to fall heavy, the black grouse 

 betake themselves to the shelter of tall heath, juniper, 

 or any other plant, that will afford them cover while 

 the violent wind with which falls of snow are usually 

 accompanied in Alpine districts lasts; or they roost 

 under the thick branches of the pines, in situations 

 where they have access to these. Even upon the 

 pines, the snow forms a close canopy, which lasts for a 

 considerable time, while below there is a sufficiency of 



