The Red Grouse 



to the coast-line, and is generally and widely distributed 

 throughout Scotland and the northern half of England, as 

 far south as Glamorganshire in Wales, but on the east it 

 does not occur south of the Trent. In Ireland it is fairly 

 well distributed, but not so common as in Scotland. 



Unlike the two former species, the Red Grouse is strictly 

 monogamous, pairing very early in the season, when his call- 

 note of " go back, go back," may frequently be heard. The 

 nest is a scrape among the heather, no materials being added. 

 Ten to twelve eggs form the usual clutch ; they are very 

 handsome, being of a pale ground colour, thickly and profusely 

 marked with dark reddish brown. 



The male waits on the hen during incubation, warning 

 her of the approach of danger with a sharp " kok, kok, kok." 

 Their food consists of various seeds and berries, together 

 with the leaves and shoots of plants, and the tips of ling 

 and heather ; in autumn they also visit the harvest-fields. 



The young are fed on insects. This species keeps, as a 

 rule, in family parties, only packing together during severe 

 weather in the less exposed places, but where they are 

 much driven and shot, they are often found in large flocks. 



They vary considerably in their plumage, about which 

 more information is needed. The male is dark brown, 

 barred with reddish, and is often nearly black on the 

 breast and whitish on the vent. The female is similarly 

 coloured, but lighter. Length 16 in. ; wing 8 - 4 in. 



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