250 CLASS AYES. 



similar, in this, to that of the other two species ; that its voice 

 is not the same ; and the eggs vary. 



^ The hybrid-grous is said to have existed formerly in Scot- 

 land ; it is especially confined to the northern regions. It 

 is found in Russia, Lapland, and Sweden. The only ex- 

 ample known of one of these birds being found more towards 

 central Europe was in 1756, when an individual was shot in 

 Pomerania. 



The Ha%el Grous is pretty generally spread throughout 

 the central countries of Europe, and even advances to the 

 South. Its ordinary habitat is the great forests in moun- 

 tainous regions. It is a singularly wild and shy bird, and 

 usually remains during the day under heath or brambles; 

 sometimes it is so well concealed in some large and leafy 

 tree, that it is almost impossible to perceive it. Most of the 

 winged species, on the approach of danger, attempt to make 

 a sudden escape by means of their wings ; but this grous never 

 has recourse to them, except when every other mode of flight 

 is impossible : it depends, in preference, for its safety on the 

 rapidity with which it can use its limbs. 



Notwithstanding this, the hazel-grous can, when it pleases, 

 fly with considerable quickness, but not to any elevation ; the 

 wings then make a very loud and rustling noise. When 

 agitated by fear, these birds frequently raise the tuft with 

 which their heads are ornamented, as the larks do. Their 

 rallying cry is a kind of loud hissing ; it is difficult, if not 

 impossible to rear them in captivity ; liberty appears to be 

 the essence of their existence. 



The hazel-grous travel but little, fixing their residence 

 more habitually in the place of their birth. In autumn, they 

 assemble in large bands, on one mountain or another, every 

 morning and evening, and even through the day thus con- 

 tinue their association. In winter, they separate and live 

 alone. They multiply very much in the north of Europe, 



