I9I Red Grouse. 



quick-drying surface ; that the cover be thick ; that there 

 be frequent inequalities of surface ; and a good supply of 

 food besides that from the heather. Grouse have no par- 

 ticular spots which they frequent as roosting-places, but 

 will roost in one particular spot or close to it for several 

 nights, sometimes for a week or so in succession. They 

 are, however, very uncertain birds, and shift their quarters 

 apparently without reason or aim. 



Curiously, the Red Grouse is monogamous, so strictly, 

 indeed, that I believe the instances of departure from this 

 rule are curiosities of zoology. This appears as a singular 

 characteristic, for both Black Game and the scarce caper- 

 cailzie are polygamous. The birds pair in the early 

 spring, or rather at the end of winter, and by the end of 

 February all the mating is over. By the end of April 

 laying is in full progress. Sometimes birds will pair as 

 early as the first week in December, but these premature 

 matings are apparently ended on the first severity of 

 weather. The nest is made in any slight hollow beneath 

 or in the centre of a tuft of heather, where no water can, 

 or rather should, accumulate. The furnishing of the nest 

 is very slight some bits of moss, or ling, and bents 

 scraped together from near at hand. In this apology for 

 a nest the eggs are deposited, varying from four to thirteen 

 or fourteen, but the average is probably between seven and 

 ten. As soon as the young are hatched, the hen alone 

 completing the incubation, they are taken care of by both 

 parents, the hen assuming immediate charge, while the cock 

 watches assiduously to protect his progeny from the attacks 

 of vermin. The brood remains with the old birds until the 

 autumn, when the family is broken up, and the birds 

 pursue their respective courses, although remaining to some 

 extent in consort till the "packing" of winter begins, 

 when the broods become finally spread. 



