402 



GALLINACEOUS BIEDS. 



with the mother, who on all occasions watches them with the 

 tenderest solicitude. 



The flesh of the Cock of the Woods is juicy, but is esteemed 

 more for its rarity ; for the buds and leaves of the pines, which 

 are its favourite food, give it a flavour of turpentine. In Scot- 

 land this species became extinct, but was restored by the Marquis 

 of Breadalbane and others, who imported great numbers from 

 Sweden. It is almost as large as a Turkey. 



Fig. 159. — Black Grouse ( Tctrao tctris, Gray). 



The Black Geovse {Tcfrao tetrix), Fig. 159, is about the size 

 of a Pheasant, and is distinguished by its tail, which in the cock 

 is divided into two jDarts, with a curling- notch, composed of four 

 lateral feathers on each side, curving outwards. 



The Cock of the Plains ( Tetrao artimesia, And.), so called from 

 frequenting and feeding on the sage that grows in profusion on 

 the far-western prairies of America, is a noble bird, of handsome 

 plumage. It is almost as large as a hen Turkej'. Its numbers 

 are rapidly diminishing. 



The Pinnated Gkocse {Tetrao Ciipido, Aud.) is a native of the 

 prairies of the North American continent ; it is the same size 

 as the last-described species, but the plumage is a light brown, 

 (iccasionalljr ticked with white. Its call is deep and sonorous, 

 much resembling the bellowing of a bull, and can be heard 

 for miles in still weather. It is an excellent table bird, and 



