348 BRITISH BIRDS. 



are brown, the lower parts and tips of the secon- 

 daries white, forming a bar of white across the 

 wing ; there is likewise a spot of white on the bas- 

 tard wing; the feathers of the tail are almost 

 square at the ends, and when spread out, form a 

 curve on each side ; the under tail coverts are pure 

 white; the legs and thighs dark brown, mottled 

 with wiiite; the toes toothed on the edges like 

 those of the former species. In some of our speci- 

 mens the nostrils were thickly covered with feathers, 

 whilst in others they were quite bare, probably 

 owing to the different ages of the birds. 



These birds, like the former, are common in 

 Russia, Siberia, and other northern countries, 

 chiefly in high and wooded situations; and in the 

 northern parts of our own island on uncultivated 

 moors; they feed on various kinds of berries and 

 other fruits, the produce of \vild and mountainous 

 places ; in summer they frequently come down from 

 their lofty situations for the sake of feeding on 

 corn. They do not pair, but on the return of 

 spring the males assemble in great numbers at 

 their accustomed resorts, on the tops of high and 

 heathy mountains, when the contest for superiority 

 commences and continues with great bitterness till 

 the vanquished are put to flight ; the victors being 

 left in possession of the field, place themselves on 

 an eminence, clap their wings, and with loud cries 

 give notice to their females, who immediately re- 

 sort to the spot. It is said that each cock has two 

 or three hens, which seem particularly attached to 

 him. The female is about one-third less than the 

 male, and differs from him considerably in colour; 

 her tail is likewise much less forked. She makes 



