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from Kadora (Kachetie, opposite the village of Sabuji, fifteen versts from Kwarel) to Zakataly, 

 a distance of about a hundred versts. I observed it in the mountains of Kapuczynsk, the prin- 

 cipal place in which is Bezyt, and near Balakna, one of the Bogosk mountains; and I fully 

 believe that it occurs throughout the entire chain of mountains. It occurs in the mountains of 

 Armenia to near Achalcyk, near the frontiers of Turkey, at Delizana, the highest place on the 

 route from Tiflis to Erivan, and on Mount Ararat, which makes it probable that it occurs also 

 in Kurdistan. In general it is found in hilly localities covered with herbage. 



"I saw a specimen in the Museum at Tiflis, but do not know whence it came, as it is 

 labelled merely 'Tetrao tetrix, L.' It is difficult to define the altitudes of the different localities 

 frequented by this species, as they vary according to circumstances. For instance, at Lagodechi, 

 on the further end of the mountain, behind which begins the arable region, it is found at 8700 

 metres, whereas at Manglis the height attained is 6320 metres, &c. The localities in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Lagodechi, as well as in the lowlands in the district of Kapucrinske, are very varied 

 in their characteristics — cold and damp, owing to fogs and incessant rains; marshes, however, 

 there are none. On the lower border of this region the hill is sprinkled with the following 

 trees : — Fagus sylvatica ; Acer, sp. ; Sorbus, sp. ; Rosa canina ; Rubus iclmis ; Fragaria vesca ; 

 Vaccinium myrtillus ; and a species of creeping juniper which is found at a great height. 



" This Grouse is nowhere numerous, as the region it inhabits is narrow, and it never descends 

 down the mountains. About twenty years ago it was much more numerous than it now is, being 

 as it were protected owing to the war, as was also Tetraogallus ; for the herdsmen were afraid 

 to enter the country with their cattle. Now the entire district is full of flocks and herds, espe- 

 cially in the spring, when grass is still more scanty in the more elevated regions. The birds are 

 therefore continually disturbed, and their eggs are taken and eaten by the shepherds. I have 

 generally, I may add, found the males more numerous than the females. 



" I know but little of the habits of the present species. I have shot them late in May and 

 early in June, when the males were busy with their courtship and were drumming ; but we were 

 never fortunate enough to witness them when engaged in the combats for the possession of the 

 females so characteristic of the Black Grouse, nor did we hear their pairing-call. It is partial 

 to the grass land ; and I have also met with it at an altitude of at least 11,000 feet amongst the 

 snow ; but I may remark that I never saw any but solitary males there. I have often seen a male 

 standing motionless amongst the grass, or on a stone, for hours together, whilst some sis or seven 

 others were scattered concealed amongst the surrounding scrub ; and though I have racked my 

 brain to think what could possibly be the use of this strange proceeding, I never could properly 

 understand it. It is not improbable that this solitary bird may be placed there as a sentinel : but 

 if so he always failed in his duty ; for he was always the first one shot, and my companions killed 

 most of the specimens they procured when in this position. Possibly the bird has not yet learnt 

 to regard man as its natural foe ; or perhaps it takes up its position thus to more easily watch 

 the movements of the females. Be it as it may, there must be some valid reason for the bird 

 sitting so long in this stationary position. The flight of the male is audible at some distance^ 

 the sound resembling an agreeable whistling. With the aid of my dog I found one nest. It 

 was situated at the foot of a rock, which afforded shelter from the rain ; the hollow was slight, 

 and lined with dry grass. This nest contained ten eggs. 



