230 



VERTEBRATA. 



and temlcr shoots of fir. Early in the spring the cock has a habit of seating himself on a tree 

 and beginning a love song, in which he cries out, pcllcr, pellcr, pellcr ; at the same time he raises 

 and spreads his tail, lowers his wings, nifflcs up his feathers, and in fact appears like a strutting 

 turkev-cock. On lu-aring this call, the hens in the neighborhood croak like ravens, and at the 

 same "time gather around'the cock, who now descends from his perch, and takes charge of the 

 flock. Tlie nest of this species is made on the ground, and the hen lays six to twelve eggs; the 

 males now skulk away and leave the females to hatch and take care of the young. These birds 

 are conmion in Sweden and other wooded portions of Northern Europe ; they have become scarce 

 in Scotland, where thov were once abundant, though recent attempts to restock the woods have 

 been partially successful. This bird has been occasionally domesticated, and has bred in that 

 state ; it has also bred with the black grouse. 



BLACK GROUSE. 



The Black Grouse or Black Cock, T. tciri.r, is twenty-two inches long; general color 

 black ; it is partial to bogs and morasses, where the herbage is rank ; in summer it feeds on seeds, 

 leaves, and insects ; in autumn on berries and the buds of trees. Like the preceding, it does not 

 pair, but a male in the spring issues his call from some elevated spot, which is heard by the 

 females, who assemble upon this invitation ; the male now displays himself in various attitudes, 

 spreading his tail and trailing his wings, and at last utters a crowing note, which may be heard 

 for the distance of half a mile. These performances prove irresistible, and he becomes master of 

 the flock. He remains with them, however, only till incubation begins, when he retires to the 

 woods, and leaves the care of the several families to their respective mothers. These birds are 

 abundant in Norway and Sweden, and the London market is chiefly supplied from this source 

 through the winter ; they are found throughout Northern and Middle Europe ; in England and 

 Scotland there are considerable numbers of them. Hybrids between this species and the pheasant 

 have been frequently produced. 



