TETRAO 699 



and is as a rule shy and and wary. It feeds on tender twigs, 

 berries, seeds, &c., and is more of a ground bird than T. urogallus. 

 In the spring it frequents a " lek " or drumming place, where the 

 males fight for the possession of the females, and it is almost 

 always held on the ground, in an open place in the forest, or a 

 tree-surrounded morass, for this species is also polygamous. The 

 call-note is loud and clear, and can be heard at a long distance. 

 The " lek " lasts about 8 to 14 days, after which the females 

 retire to their breeding places. The nest is a depression in 

 the ground, sometimes scantily lined with grass or leaves, and 

 the eggs, 6 to 10 or 12 in number, which are usually deposited 

 in May, are yellowish white spotted and blotched with yellowish 

 red and rusty red, and measure about 2'0 by 1 42. 



The Black Grouse not unfrequently interbreeds with other 

 species, and wild hybrids have been obtained between it and 

 Tetrao urogallus, Lagopus albus, L. scoticus, Tetrastes bonasia, 

 and Phasianus colchicus. 



977. GEORGIAN BLACK GROUSE. 

 TETRAO MLOKOSIEWICZI. 



Tetrao mlokosiewiczi, Tacz. P.Z.S. 1875, p. 266 ; Dresser, vii. p. 219, 

 pi. 488 ; (Olgilvie Grant), Cat. B. Br. Mns. xxii. p. 58 ; T. 

 acatoptriciis, Eadde, Orn. Cauc. p. 358, pi. xxiii. 



Tetereff tschernyscli, Russ. ; Jdban-tank, Persian ; PaitmoreJc, 

 Arm en. ; Kara-touch, Tartar. 



ad. (Georgia). Differs from T. tefrix in lacking the white on the 

 upper surface of the wing, in having the under tail-coverts black, and the 

 tail with the tip bent downwards and slightly outwards ; the glossy parts 

 of the plumage with bottle-green reflections. Culmen 1'05, wing 7*9, tail 

 9*0, tarsus 2'25 inch. The female is greyish closely vermiculated with 

 blackish brown and rusty brown, the upper parts more rufescent Ithan 

 the under parts ; throat white ; secondaries and under tail-coverts tipped 

 with white ; tail long, nearly square, blackish brown closely variegated with 

 rufous and sandy yellow ; middle of abdomen marked with black. 



Hob. The whole of the Caucasus Mountains. 



Is a mountain bird, inhabiting high altitudes on the borders 

 of tree growth and the rhododendron zone at from 6,000 to 

 8,000 and even 11,000 feet altitude, and never descends into the 

 valleys. In habits it resembles T. tetrix, and like that bird is 

 polygamous, and in the pairing season frequents certain spots 

 where the males " drum " and fight for the possession of the 

 females. The nest is a hollow scratched in the soil, usually 



