37 2 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



the buds of fir and birch trees, insects, and grubs ; little, in fact, 

 comes amiss to satisfy their appetites. Their bearing, which is 

 proud and warlike, is supported by a robust form. Their plumage 

 is black, spotted with white, and clouded as it were with bluish 

 diaphanous shades. They are polygamous, and live together in 

 families. They seek shelter in trees, both for roosting and in order 

 to conceal themselves from their enemies. 



At the first breath of spring the male birds make the woods 

 re-echo with the loud notes with which they summon the females. 

 For an hour every morning and evening, for over a month, this 

 practice is continued. 



The females retire into the thick brushwood to build their nests 

 and lay their eggs ; here they devote themselves to incubation, and 

 afterwards to rearing their offspring — cares which devolve upon them 

 exclusively. They deposit from eight to sixteen eggs on a bed of 

 grasses and leaves roughly interwoven. The young birds run about 

 as soon as hatched, and remain for several months with the mother, 

 who on all occasions watches them with the tenderest solicitude. 



The flesh of the Cock of the Woods is juicy, but possesses a 

 flavour of turpentine, from the buds and leaves of the pines on which 

 it feeds. In Scotland this species became extinct, but was restored 

 by the Marquis of Breadalbane, who imported great numbers from 

 Sweden. It is almost as large as a Turkey. 



The Black Grouse {Tetrao tetrix, Fig. 148) is about the size 

 of a Pheasant, and is distinguished by its tail, which in the cock is 

 divided into two parts, composed of four lateral feathers on each 

 side, curving outwards. 



The Cock of the Plains (Tetrao arttmesia), so called from its fre- 

 quenting and feeding on the sage that grows in profusion on the far- 

 western uplands of America, is a noble bird, of handsome plumage. 

 It is almost as large as a hen Turkey. Its numbers are rapidly 

 diminishing. 



The Pinnated Grouse (Tetrao Cupido) is a native of the prairies 

 of the North American continent ; it is the same size as the last- 

 described species, but the plumage is a light brown, occasionally 

 ticked with white. Its call is deep and sonorous, much resembling 

 the bellowing of a bull, and can be heard for miles in still weather. 

 It is an excellent table bird, and affords good sport to the lovers of 

 the gun. The Pinnated Grouse, frequently called Prairie Chicken 

 or Hen, pair in March ; they lay from twelve to fourteen eggs, and 

 are most devoted parents. Of this species there are two strongly- 

 marked varieties, differing in size and formation of tail. 



