GROUS. 



243 



Nuremberg; and in such plenty in a small Island in the Gulph of 

 Genoa, that the name of Gelinotte Island has been given to it ; is 

 frequently in Russia, though less so than some others of that Genus; 

 scarcer in Siberia, especially towards the east part; very common in 

 Sweden, and brought every year to Stockholm,* in the winter. The 

 female lays from twelve to fifteen eggs, rather bigger than those of 

 the Pigeon, the colour a rusty red, slightly spotted, but with two 

 larger spots near the sharper end; the nest on the ground, at the foot 

 of a Hazel, or Great Mountain Fern : the hen sits three weeks, but 

 rarely produces more than seven or eight chickens, which run as 

 soon as hatched. They frequently perch on trees, but only on the 

 lowest branches, nearest the body. 



They feed on various berries and fruits, chiefly the catkins of the 

 hazel and birch; and when these fail, on berries, and tops of junipers, 

 buds of birch, firs, and other evergreens ; when kept in confinement 

 will eat grain. The flesh is every where esteemed, and admitted to 

 the first tables. The Bohemians send it, about Easter, as a present 

 from one to the other. The Hungarians call it Tschasarmadar, or 

 the Bird of Caesar, as if only fit for the table of the Emperor ; was 

 formerly in great estimation at Rome,f and there kept in cages : is 

 often decoyed into the net of the sportsman, by means of a bird-call, 

 in the same manner as the Quail. 



* For the most part in prodigious quantities, as from 90,000 to 100,000 are brought 

 from 600 miles on horseback. If the weather is favourable for keeping, the price is about 

 sixpence sterling a-piece, but they otherwise sell for three-pence. It is said they are shot with 

 bullets, from rifle-barrelled guns, for if small shot is used, the flesh will not long keep 

 good; but they are often caught in nets. — Mr. Dryander. 



f " Inter sapores fertur alitum primus 



" Ionicarum gustus Attagenarum." — Mart. Lib. xiii. Ep. Ixi. 



" Non Attagen Ionicus 

 " Jucundior, quam lecta de pinguissimis 



" Oliva ramis arborum."— Hor. F.p. Od. ii. line 54. &c. 



I i2 



