52 RED GROUSE. 



the base of the lower mandible General ground colour of the plumage, rich sienna brown, 

 shading on the belly into a nearly pure black; tips, paler, and with nearly black wavy lines 

 across each feather. Tail, even, of sixteen feathers, the four centre ones with transverse 

 black lines on chesnut brown ground, all the others black. Legs and feet, thickly covered 

 to the claws with soft white feathers; claws, grayish white, broad, and strong. 



The adult female has the general ground colour of a lighter shade, and the pale 

 markings somewhat larger in size. 



The young at first resemble the female, but are more ochreous in colour, and the 

 plumage is more barred. Until they attain their full plumage, they often exhibit, to a 

 greater or less extent, some white feathers on the under parts. 



In weight the Grouse would appear to be subject to great variety ; thus Mr. Thompson's 

 friend, as above mentioned, says they will at Glenroy attain two pounds two ounces: 

 this, we imagine, must be of very rare occurrence. Mr. James Blaydon met with one 

 in 1848, near Pont-y-Pool, which weighed thirty ounces; and in the same year Mr. J. 

 B. Fielding, of Alershole, near Todmorden, shot one weighing thirty-one ounces. The 

 common weight, however, of these birds is from twenty to twenty-two ounces, though an 

 addition of an ounce or two is not uncommon. We have seen one shot by C. Wilkinson, 

 Esq., of Myton, Yorkshire, in September, 1851, which weighed full twenty-nine ounces. 



The length of the lied Grouse is from fifteen to sixteen inches. 



