204 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



Being a much smaller and weaker bird than the partridge, it would not 

 be able to penetrate the snow to the young crop beneath, and accordingly 

 it is migratory, like the lark. Its wings are less arched than those of 

 the partridge, and the three first primaries are elongated, arrangements 

 which adapt the bird for a more rapid flight. Many quails winter in the 

 South of Europe, where they are caught in many thousands ; others cross 

 the sea. 



Family 3 : Grouse Family (Tetraonidae). 



The Capercailzie (Tetrao urogallus) was formerly met with abundantly 

 in the pine forests of Northern and Central Europe. Its ranks, however, 

 have now been considerably thinned by incessant persecution. It was 

 originally a native of Britain, but became extinct, and has been reintro- 

 duced. The male (length about 40 inches) is a handsome bird of dark- 

 coloured plumage (head and neck blackish-blue, breast glossy blackish- 

 green, back and wings brown, tail black). The plumage of the female 

 — which is about one-third less in size — on the other hand, displays a 

 mixture of black, grey, and brown — in fact, a colour showing but slight 

 contrast from that of the soil (protection in breeding and taking care 

 of the young birds). In the spring the males compete for the favour 

 of the females. Sitting on a branch, the cock erects its feathers, spreads 

 its tail, allows its wings to droop, and utters the most curious sounds. 

 At this time it is blind to all dangers, and, though at other times a very 

 shy bird, allows the sportsman to steal close up to it. Its food consists 

 of tree-buds, leaves, berries, seeds, and insects. 



The Black Grouse (T. tetrix) frequents birch-woods by preference. 

 The male (blackcock) is about the size of the domestic cock. The head, 

 neck, and breast are of a shiny steel blue, the wings brown, crossed by 

 a white band. The outer feathers of the black tail are curved outwards 

 into the shape of a lyre (a favourite decoration for the hats of sportsmen 

 in Germany). The female is smaller, and in colour of plumage resembles 

 the female capercailzie (greyhen). 



The Hazel Grouse {Bonasa sylvestris) does not occur in the British 

 Islands ; on the Continent it inhabits mountain forests, and is actively 

 hunted on account of its excellent flesh. The males are but slightly 

 distinguished from the females. The plumage is reddish-brown, spotted 

 with black and white. 



The Common Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) inhabits the Northern 

 countries of the Old World and the heights of the Alps. Its earth- 

 coloured summer plumage is exchanged with the advent of the cold season 

 for a white winter garment. (Compare with Alpine hare and ermine.) * 



