THE BLACK GROUSE. 



THE Black Grouse is about one foot ten 

 inches in length, and weighs nearly four pounds. 

 The general colour of the plumage is a rich 

 black ; above each eye there is a dash of scar- 

 let, and below the eye a spot of white ; the 

 neck and rump are of a glossy blue ; the under 

 tail coverts white ; the lesser wing coverts 

 brown, and the greater ones white ; the wing 

 is also barred with white : the feathers of the 

 tail, when spread out, form a very singular 

 curve on each side. The toes are toothed on 

 the edges ; the eyes are a deep blue, and the 

 bill black. These birds are common in cold 

 countries ; they frequent the northern parts of 

 Scotland, and feed on berries during the win- 

 ter, and, in summer, on corn. They do not 

 pair, but assemble in flocks. The hen makes 

 a careless nest on the ground, and lays from 

 five to eight yellowish eggs freckled with brown. 



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