SCRATCH E RS. 285 



of them have been caught in Italy each day for a whole month, 

 within the space of five miles. 



The Black Gkotjse, or Black Cock, is still found on the 

 moors of Scotland and some parts of England, and with the red 

 grouse, tempts innumerable sportsmen annually to spend their lei- 

 sure months on the moors. 



The Eed Grouse has never been found wild on the Con- 

 tinent of Europe, but seems to confine itself exclusively to the 

 heaths of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. 

 In these places it is very numerous, 

 associating in flocks or "packs," and, 

 together with the black grouse, is eagerly 

 pursued by sportsmen, who are fre- 

 quently bafiled by the shy and wary 

 habits of the birds. The nest of the 

 Red Grouse is formed of heath and „ ^ „ 



Red Grouse, 



grass carelessly heaped together on the 



ground under the shelter of some low shrub. The young are 



fully fledged by August. 



The Brush Turkey is principally found in the thick 

 brushwood of New South Wales. Mr. Gould, who first brought 

 it before the public, gives this curious account of their nests : — 

 " The mode in which the materials composing these mounds are 

 accumulated is equally singular, the bird never using its bill, but 

 always grasping a quantity in its foot, throwing it backwards to 

 one nommon centre, and thus clearing the surface of the ground 

 for a considerable distance so completely that scarcely a leaf or a 

 blade of grass is left. The heap being accumulated, and time 

 allow sd for a sufficient heat to be engendered, the eggs are depo- 

 sited, not side by side as is ordinarily the case, but planted -at the 

 distance of nine or twelve inches from each other, and buried at 

 nearly an arm's depth, perfectly upright, with the large end 

 upwards. They are covered up as they are laid, and allowed to 

 remain until hatched. I am credibly informed, both by natives 

 ^nd settlers living near their haunts, that it is not an unusual 

 event to obtain nearly a bushel of eggs at one time from a single 



