THE WOOD-GROUSE, OR COCK 

 OF THE WOOD. 



THIS bird, which is nearly the size of a tur- 

 key, often weighs twelve or fourteen pounds ; 

 but the female is considerably smaller. The 

 head and neck are ash coloured and crossed 

 with black lines; the body and wings of a 

 chestnut brown ; and the breast is of a black- 

 ish glossy green. The female differs very much 

 in her plumage. 



This bird is chiefly found in mountainous 

 and wooded situations ; though in summer he 

 occasionally ventures from his retreats, to make 

 short depredations on the corn fields. While 

 living in the recesses of the forest, he attaches 

 himself principally to the oak and the pine 

 tree; the cones of the latter serving him for 

 food, and the branches affording him a habita- 

 tion. He also feeds upon cranberries, ants 



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