72 TETRAONID.E. 



or bogs, and also meadows, are required : besides all this, 

 very full and thick underwood for hiding-places must not be 

 wanting. During the winter season, the Cock of the Wood 

 passes most of its time in trees, where it has to look then 

 principally for its food ; but in the summer, the ground 

 being plentifully supplied with all sorts of berries and other 

 kinds of food, the bird passes the day at least among the 

 brambles and heather, and returns at sunset to a strong 

 branch of a tree for the purpose of roosting. 



The manners of the Cock of the Wood are particularly 

 dull and heavy, although the hen bird is much more active 

 than the male bird. Its walk resembles that of the turkey, 

 carrying the body horizontally, the tail drooping, and the 

 head projecting forward with a long neck; but in case of need 

 the bird can run fast enough. 



The flight of the bird now before us is apparently per- 

 formed with great exertion ; the wings are moved or beaten 

 very quickly, and the noise thereby occasioned is very loud. 

 Great distances it does not travel on the wing by choice. 



The Cock of the Wood is a very shy bird, and its sharp 

 sight, as well as quick ear, aid it greatly for safety. The 

 male bird is more shy than the female, and less frequently 

 surprised. The female, if overtaken when with her young ones, 

 follows the manner of the hen pheasant, in crouching flat to 

 the ground with her brood, until danger comes too near, and 

 then they all run out, and fly away together : under such 

 circumstances the whole party fly straight away to some tree, 

 where they perch on the lower branches, but do not allow 

 men to approach them so near a second time. 



The male bird is very unsociable, and, like the cock 

 pheasant, roves about by himself until the spring of the year, 

 when he goes in search of his mates for a few weeks, and 

 returns again to his solitude, leaving the females to take 

 care of their nests, eggs, and broods. The young cock birds 



