BLACK GROUS. 77 



plenty ; not only in flat or undulating countries, but high up 

 in the mountains, where the growth of trees becomes stunted. 

 In the north, the Black Grous frequents the valleys ; and 

 the nearer the countries where this bird is met with approach 

 the south, the mere it keeps to the higher parts of the 

 mountains. This, as a matter of course, is in consequence 

 oi the nature of the vegetation, for the bird avoids thick 

 woods or forests, as before mentioned. 



The male of the Grous now before us is a very shy 

 bird, and, owing to its sharp sight and ear, as well as its 

 scent, it is approached but with great caution. In a natural 

 state the male bird runs about on the ground with a 

 proud spririt, carrying its head high, whereas the hen 

 goes about crouching and modestly. The Black Grous 

 runs very fast ; and although its wings are rather short, it 

 flies quickly, and, if necessary, to a considerable distance. 

 That this bird knows how to run and hide itself among the 

 stunted vegetation it frequents, is natural. 



The hen bird may at times be approached when she is 

 perched on the branch of a tree, although this only occurs 

 in very severe weather. 



The Black Grous is a sociable bird, for it is generally 

 found in the company of several of its species. These birds 

 live in families together ; they share their food, their pleasures, 

 and their dangers, except the adult male, who follows his 

 pursuits in solitude except during the spring of the year. 

 The male bird utters a piping noise when it takes wing, and 

 the female whistles quite plainly, and when she intends to call 

 her young brood together, she utters the word dahc, dahc 

 in a nasal tone. 



About the months of March, April, and May, the pairing 

 season, the Black Grous daily visits a certain -spot, appa- 

 rently as much for the pleasure of a fight with his neighbours, 

 as to associate with the hen birds ; and during this time of 



