GROUS. 29 



associating with one male ; the males, especially of the poly- 

 gamous kinds, fight courageously for and in defence of their 

 females ; but, even in those which pair, the labours of incu- 

 bation and of defending the young devolve chiefly upon the 

 female ; and she often becomes so courageous in their defence, 

 as to beat off quadrupeds as well as birds of prey. The 

 young are gathered under her wings for protection both from 

 the inclemency of the weather and from enemies. 



Their haunts, in consequence of the wings being fitted for 

 short flights only, are better defined than those of many other 

 birds. They are, or at least were, the mountain top, the 

 mountain side, the mountain forest, the hill, the field, and the 

 margin of the waters ; but some of those which frequent the 

 latter places are of stronger wing than the others, bear some 

 resemblance to the running birds, and are migrants. 



It does not apppear that there are any migrant gallinae 

 among British birds, though the quail has become so rare in 

 most localities, that it is usually considered as a migrant. 

 But they are said, on what may be reckoned good authority, 

 to be far from rare on the Surrey hills and individuals have 

 been found in that county, and also in Bedfordshire, in the 

 winter months, within these few years, and also a nest not 

 five miles from London bridge. Therefore, the native Gal- 

 linse of Britain are, Grous, Partridges, and Quails ; and there 

 are no species entirely migrant. 



GKOUS. 



There are two divisions of Grous (Tetrao, Linn.) : those 

 which have the tarsi and toes feathered, and those which 

 have the tarsi feathered, and the toes bare. 



WITH THE TOES FEATHERED (Lagopus). 



These are the mountaineers, and get the name of Lagopus, 

 or " feathery foot." Of them there are two species, ptarmi- 

 gan and red grous. 



