ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF LAPLAND. 339 



Although, in Sweden the willow grouse has a 

 lower southern range than the ptarmigan, it is 

 confined entirely to the north of Europe, whereas 

 the ptarmigan has a much more southern European 

 range, being met with in many of the mountainous 

 districts in Switzerland, Savoy, etc. 



Early in August they appeared again to come 

 lower down, and in the season when the young 

 birds were fit to shoot, I generally found them on 

 the small swamps in the forests, or in the bushes 

 round the little streams which intersect these 

 woods in every direction. In fact, it seems to me 

 that, in the summer, water is indispensable to the 

 habits of the willow grouse. The call-note of the 

 willow grouse is much louder and hoarser than 

 that of the ptarmigan, and resembles the sound 

 " ka-wau-ka-wau." In one material respect it 

 differs in habits from the ptarmigan ; for not only 

 does the male willow grouse watch his mate with 

 the greatest care during the period of incubation, 

 but when the brood is hatched off he never leaves 

 them, he is always with them ; and if by chance an 

 intruder comes upon the nest or young brood, he 

 bustles up, uttering his hoarse cackle, and if he is 

 not able to drive away the enemy, he tries every arti- 

 fice in his power to lure him from the spot. Beau- 

 tiful as it is to witness the strong feeling of love 

 which nature has implanted in the breasts of all 



