284 The Fowl-like Birds 



them high above the timber line, and here, where the wind is often blowing 

 with such tremendous sweep that it is difficult for a man to stand against 

 it, they may be found crouching behind a small stone or other shelter, and always 

 with the head toward the wind. They associate usually in small parties and if 

 disturbed all take wing at once, resembling a flock of white Pigeons. They are 

 usually rather tame and when closely approached run about nervously with the 

 tail elevated and looking, as Mr. Grinnell says, "very much like a white Fan- 

 tailed Pigeon." The nest, usually begun sometime in June, is a slight depres- 

 sion among the rocky debris of steep hillsides, and although in perfectly exposed 

 situations, the mottled plumage of the female at this season is so very like the 

 surrounding rocks and ground that she is effectually concealed. The female sits 

 so closely that she may almost be trodden upon before betraying her presence, 

 and may even be stroked and lifted from the nest without more protest than a 

 sitting hen. The eggs are usually from seven to nine in number and are 

 creamy or reddish buff with few markings. The female only appears to per- 

 form the duty of incubation, and when the chicks are hatched cares for them 

 with great solicitude. These birds feed largely on buds, with such seeds and 

 berries as they can secure. 



Red Grouse. The remaining member of this genus that we shall consider is 

 the very distinct Red Grouse (L. scoticus) of Great Britain, which has the dis- 

 tinction of being the only species of bird confined to the British Islands. It is 

 also the only Ptarmigan that does not have a pure white winter plumage, its 

 usual dress being reddish or chestnut-brown, barred and speckled with black, 

 while the breast is almost black. In summer the general color is a little lighter, 

 and in winter the under parts are often more or less mottled with white. It 

 frequents the mountains and moors, feeding on shoots of the heather as well, as 

 buds, leaves, seeds, and fruits of such plants as grow on or near the moors, 

 although the young chicks are said to be fed chiefly on small caterpillars. 



Black Grouse. Of the remaining genera of Grouse none have the toes 

 feathered, but instead all have the sides of the toes pectinated in winter, with 

 the points deciduous in summer. Otherwise not far removed from those last 

 considered are the Black Grouse (Lyrurus) of the northern portions of the Old 

 World, in which the tarsi are entirely feathered and the tail of eighteen feathers 

 has the outer pairs very much longer than the middle pair, and in the male these 

 are curved outwards at the extremity. Only three or four species are known, 

 the most important being the common Black Grouse (L. tetrix) of Europe and 

 northern and central Asia. The full-grown male is about twenty-three inches 

 long, while the length of the female is only about seventeen inches. The general 

 color of the male is black with violet reflections, relieved by a broad white wing- 

 band and white-tipped secondaries. There is also a white spot behind the eye, 

 and the naked skin and wattle above the eye are scarlet. The female, often called 

 the Gray-hen, is mostly rufous, barred with black above, and dusky brown 

 barred with red and whitish below. The true home of this species is in the birch 

 and pine forests, but it is also found on the open moors and fields, especially 

 grain and stubble fields, often at some distance from cover. The old birds feed 



