TETRAO. 423 



Genus TETRAO *. 



The genus Tetrao was included by Linnaeus in 1766 in the twelfth 

 edition of his 'Systema Naturse' (i. p. 373). The Capercaillie has by 

 common consent been regarded as the type. 



The Grouse may be distinguished by their feathered tarsi and the 

 absence of spurs. The wings are short, rounded/ and very convex, and 

 the nostrils are covered with short feathers. 



This genus contains about twenty species, which are confined to the 

 Paleearctic and Nearctic Regions. Six species are European, of which 

 four are British. 



The birds in this genus frequent mountains, moors, and forests. They 

 are more or less gregarious in autumn and winter. They run and walk 

 on the groun^d, and several of the species perch freely in trees ; their 

 flight is swift, and performed with rapid beatings of the wings, and when 

 they rise they make a whirring sound. Their notes are harsh. Their 

 food consists of insects, fruits, berries, seeds, grain, tender shoots, and 

 buds. Some of the species are monogamous, others polygamous. Their 

 nests are slight, placed under the shelter of small bushes or amongst 

 heath, and their eggs are numerous. 



* Brisson in 1760 divided tlie genus Tetrao of the first edition of tlie ' Systema Naturse ' 

 of Linnaeus into two genera, Lagopus and Perdix ; but in 1766 Linnreus reunited them in 

 his twelfth edition under the old name. The genus Lagopm, of which the Willow-Grouse 

 is the type, can only be considered additional to that of Linnaeus by maWng some other 

 bird the type of the Linnsean genus. The first ornithologist who subdivided the Linnaean 

 genus Tetrao was probably Latham, who in 1787 (Gen. Syn. Suppl. i. p. 290) adopted 

 Brisson's genus Perdix for the Partridges. The Ptarmigan appear to have been first 

 elevated to the rank of a genus by Leach in 1816 (Syst. Cat. Mamm. &c. Brit. Mus. p. 27), 

 who adopted Brisson's genus Lagopus for them. As the Black Grouse is the only Tetrao 

 mentioned by Leach, it might be argued that he assigned this bird as the type ; but as 

 there seems to be some doubt on the question, I prefer to regard the Wood-Grouse as 

 such, because it has been so considered by the majority of writers. Under these circum- 

 stances the genus Lagopus of Brisson becomes additional to the genus Tetrao of Linnaeus ; 

 and the Willow-Grouse, his Lagopus lagopus, must be regarded as the type if this genus 

 be recognized. 



