COCK OF THE WOOD. 71 



RASORES. TETRAONIDM. 



PLATE CXLIX. 



COCK OF THE WOOD. 



TETRAO UROGALLUS. 



The Cock of the Wood inhabits the northern parts 

 of Europe and Asia, Norway, Sweden, and Russia, as far 

 north as Siberia. Its favourite residence is in forests, but 

 where trees become stunted by the cold climate this bird 

 cannot exist. In the Highlands of Scotland, the Cock of 

 the Wood used to be found in a natural state, and at 

 present these birds have been re-introduced by one or two 

 noblemen who have large estates, and where the timber 

 covers part of some mountains. The wooded valleys afford 

 the birds shelter and quiet. 



In Prussia, Poland, Hungaria, many parts of Switzerland, 

 and the Jura Mountains, it is pretty common : in France it 

 occurs but seldom, and never in Holland. 



The Cock of the Wood is a permanent resident in the 

 places before named, but severe weather will induce it at 

 times to travel southward, although not far, and only to the 

 neighbouring forests. In the Hartz mountains the hen birds 

 of the present species are frequently seen, although they are 

 not known to breed there, and thus far they may be consi- 

 dered to migrate. Pine and fir trees, intermixed with large 

 oaks and beech, must constitute the forest chosen by the 

 Cock of the Wood ; and water, either in the shape of springs 



