138 THE SHARP-TAILED GHOtJSE. 
breeds on the ground, near some brusliwood, makmg 
a loose iiest of grass, and lining it willi feathers. 
Here the female lays from nine to thirteen e^s, 
which are white, spotted with hbckish. Tlte young 
are hatched about the middle of June ; they utter a 
piping noise, Homewhat like chickena. Attempts 
have heen repeatedly made to domealicate them, but 
have as confitantly fuikd, ah the young, tliough care- 
fully nurseii by their Htep-iii other, the common hen, 
dying one after another, probably for want of suit- 
able food. Tliis species Una several cries ; the cock 
has a shrill crowing note, rather feeble ; and both 
sexeS) when disturbed, or whilst on ll»e wing, repeal 
frequently the cjy of cackf cack. This well knomi 
sound couductB llie hunter to ihelr liiding place, and 
they are also detected by producing with their small, 
lateral, rigid tail-feathers, a curious noise, resembling 
that made by a winnowing fan. When in good or- 
der, one of these grouse will weigh upwards of two 
pounds, being very pluinp. Their flefsli is of a light 
browQ colour, and very compact, though, at the same 
time, exceeiliugly juicy and well tasted, being far 
superior in thin resjieci to the common mffed, and 
approaching in excellence the delicious pinnated 
^ grouse. 
The adult male la about sixteen inches in length* 
Tlie general colour a mixture of white, diflerent 
shades of dark and light chestnut, on a rather deep 
and glossy blackish ground. The tail ia composed 
of eighteen feathers, the centre ones, according to 
