BLACK GROUS. 43 



and their plumage, which had become rather dull during the 

 winter, begins to shine in all the beauty of its glosses, they 

 separate from each other, fight stoutly for their females, and 

 when each has obtained his number, scatter themselves over 

 the waste. These operations begin at different times, accord- 

 ing as the place and the season are more or less early ; but it 

 is with us seldom earlier than March, or later than April. 



They are then on the alert by early dawn, crowing, making 

 a harsh and grating sound, like the whetting of iron with a 

 rough stone ; and as the day dawns, showing off the beauties 

 of their plumage in a great variety of attitudes and gestures. 



This pugnacity of the males, in the early part of the breed- 

 ing season, is common to all polygamous animals, whether 

 quadrupeds or birds ; and even among those that are not 

 hostile to each other, there is a tacit separation. The ten- 

 dency is a very essential one ; because, when they are occu- 

 pied with their young, they have less time for seeking their 

 food, and have the young either to feed in the nest, or lead 

 to the pastures. Hence each can the more easily provide for 

 itself, when the whole are distributed over the surface, in 

 proportion to its productiveness. The nest is always formed 

 with care, very nicely proportioned to the time that the 

 young are to use it as a habitation. It is a mere hatching- 

 place with gallinaceous birds, and therefore it is rude, and 

 placed where the female can easily find food during the time 

 of incubation. When the young have all come out of the 

 shell, the female leads them to new pastures, and returns no 

 more to the nest ; but gathers them under her wings in the 

 first shelter that presents itself, when the day becomes too 

 dark for their feeding. The number of eggs is less than that 

 of either of the former species, the average being about eight, 

 though sometimes more, and often fewer, especially in a 

 second brood, after the first has been destroyed by any 

 casualty. The female nestles on the ground, and never attempts 



