BRITISH BIRDS. 353 



the upper tail coverts are long, and almost cover 

 the tail. 



The White Grouse is fond of lofty situations, 

 where it braves the severest cold: it is found in 

 most of the northern parts of Europe, even as far as 

 Greenland ; in this country it is only to be met with 

 on the summits of some of our highest hills, chiefly 

 in the Highlands of Scotland, in the Hebrides and 

 Orkneys, and sometimes, but rarely, on the lofty 

 hills of Cumberland and Wales. Buffon, speaking 

 of this bird, says, that it avoids the solar heat, and 

 prefers the biting frosts on the tops of mountains; 

 for as the snow melts on the sides of the moun- 

 tains, it constantly ascends, till it gains the summit 

 where it forms holes and burrows in the snow. 

 They pair at the same time as the Red Grouse: 

 the female lays eight or ten eggs, which are white, 

 spotted with brown: she makes no nest, but de- 

 posits them on the ground. In winter they fly in 

 flocks, and are so little accustomed to the sight of 

 man, that they are easily shof or taken in a snare. 

 They feed on the wild productions of the hills, 

 which sometimes give the flesh a bitter, but not 

 unpalatable taste: it is dark coloured, and has 

 somewhat the flavour of the hare. 



VOL i. 2 Y 



