BLACK GROUSE. 33 



we shall be able to form a correct idea of the usual resorts of this fine bird. In some 

 favourable localities, however, where considerable quantities of timber exist, the Black 

 Cocks will often frequent them from August until the spring, and in these situations they 

 are said always to roost on the ground, and not in the trees, though they perch readily, 

 and lire much on the young shoots of the trees. 



In the very severe winter weather of the north of Europe, the Black Grouse, having 

 fed plentifully on the food then attainable, such as the catkins of the birch, buries itself, 

 more or less completely, like the Capercaillie, in the snow; and by thus economizing its 

 natural heat, it is able to survive a cold that could not but prove fatal to it if exposed 

 for any time to its full severity. It is probable that this expedient is much more frequently 

 resorted to than is commonly supposed by all birds, whose habits lead them into such 

 frozen localities. 



The males associate together during the autumn and winter months in considerable 

 flocks or packs, and do not separate until the early spring — in March or April. Being 

 polygamous, these packs now break up, and each male bird chooses some particular station, 

 such as an elevated open piece of ground, from which he endeavours to banish all others 

 of his own sex. Having, by repeated battles, obtained the lordship of his territory, he 

 commences at early daybreak, or evening twilight, to invite the attendance of the females. 

 On these occasions he struts about in a pompous manner, trailing his wings, elevating 

 and expanding his tail, which he occasionally bends to one side, inflating his neck, and, 

 in fact, proceeding much in the way the Turkey Cock does under similar circumstances. 

 During this proceeding he continues uttering his love-call, which is a peculiar humming, 

 crowing, rolling note, accompanied by a sound, compared by Mr. Selby to the noise made 

 in whetting a scythe. He is at this time in his most brilliant plumage, and the naked 

 wattle over his eye assumes a brighter scarlet. In some well-preserved districts numerous 

 cock birds may be heard at the same time uttering their love-song. On hearing it the 

 females soon assemble on the appointed spot. 



The following account of the habits of the Black Grouse in the breeding-season is from 

 the pen of Mr. Archibald Hepburn, a most careful and accurate observer, and is partic- 

 ularly interesting, from its recording a deviation from the ordinary conduct of the cock 

 birds, as detailed by other observers: — Mr. Hepburn says, "On the 12th. of April, 18-43, 

 when riding over the green hills which divide the head waters of the Teviot from those 

 of the tributaries of the Esk, I rested for two hours at the inn of Mosspaul; there, on 

 a sloping hill, I noticed a pack of Black Grouse, consisting of three males and eleven 

 females, feeding within one hundred and fifty yards of the inn door, and fifty yards from 

 the highway on which I stood. One of the former lowered his head, depressed the tips 

 of his wings, erected and expanded his tail, now and then bending it on one side like 

 a Turkey Cock, and, strutting about in pompous style before the females, uttered a loud, 



