Genus : Lagopus 
Members of this genus are easily recognised by having the feet and toes well 
covered with feathers. The tail is of moderate length, more or less square when spread, 
and composed of sixteen feathers. The genus embraces the Red Grouse, the Willow 
Grouse, the four species of Ptarmigan and their innumerable sub-species. 
THE RED GROUSE 
Lagopus scoticus, Latham 
Local Names — Grouse, Muir-cock, Muir-hen, Moorfowl, Muirfowl, Gor-cock; Coilleach-Ruadh (Red- 
cock), Coilleach-Fhraoich (Heathercock), Cearc-Fhraoich (Heather-hen), Ian Fraoich (Heather 
bird) (Gaelic) ; Cochiad (Red game), Coch y Grug (Red of the heather), Iar Goch (Red hen), 
Ceiliog and lar y Mynydd (Cock and hen of the mountain), Grugiar (Heather-hen) (Welsh). 
No birds pass through such a bewildering series of changes as members of the 
genus lagopus. Except for short periods, they are in a chronic state of change throughout 
the year, and when this is further complicated by several distinct forms, as is the case 
with the Red Grouse, it will be seen that the naturalist has no easy task to explain in 
lucid language, without being too technical, the various intricacies of the subject. I was 
the first to describe, in 1892, the three forms of the Grouse : the red, the black, and the 
white-spotted ; and to explain the various types and phases of plumage through which 
they pass. The following account, being intended for the use of naturalists, I have some- 
what amplified from the original text, giving fuller details with regard to the moults, of 
which I have made a special study during recent years. 
Moults. — Both the male and female Red Grouse have two complete moults in the 
year, the sexes changing at different seasons. In the male, the first takes place in 
summer, sometimes as early as June 10th. He remains in this until the end of Sep- 
tember, and then assumes the full winter dress gradually until early December, when 
it is complete. Sometimes it is quite full by October 10th, but I have noticed males of 
the white form get a further access of white in December. In this winter dress the 
male remains all through the winter until March. 
With regard to the moults of the female, she also has two distinct moults : the 
first taking place in the autumn, later than the male ; 1 and the second in April, when the 
full summer plumage is assumed, and lasts until late September. 
With regard to the assumption of the breeding dress of the female, it is necessary 
to say a few words. In nearly every case this plumage is not effected by a complete 
moult, but by a partial moult and a partial pattern change ; this takes a long time to 
1 Her principal mouit, in which tail, wings, and all parts are renewed, commences about July 20th. By August 12th all the 
large feathers have fallen or are in process of renewal. About September 15th the winter dress is quite complete. 
37 
