HED GROUS. 8J 



RASORES. TETRAONID/E. 



PLATE CLL 



RED GROUS. 



TETRAO SCOTICUS. 



The Red Grous is an inhabitant of the British Isles, 

 and abounds chiefly on the extensive moors of Scotland, 

 in the mountainous parts of Wales, and also in Ireland. 

 Dry heathy moors suit the habits of this bird better than the 

 boggy parts. 



It is very remarkable that the Red Grous is not known 

 to be found in any other part of the world than in the 

 British Isles; and the best authority we have for saying and 

 believing this to be a fact is, that none of the naturalists that 

 have written on ornithology have ever made mention of its 

 occurrence beyond the British Isles. 



The only change of locality attributable to this species 

 is, that it frequents the higher parts of the hills during the 

 summer months, and the lower in winter ; but does not ex- 

 tend its removal even so far as the plains. 



The food of the Red Grous consists principally in the 

 berries of moor plants and the tops of the fresh shoots of 

 various heaths. 



The habits of these birds are in many respects dif- 

 ferent from those of the black grous : for it is never seen to 

 perch or roost in trees, and is monogamous in its habits. 



The birds in question afford much amusement to sports- 



vol. iv. a 



