BLACK GROUSE. 
3 
frequently watched these gatherings from a distance without a chance of closely inspecting the whole of the 
proceedings, I carefully marked the place (a bare spot on a heather-clad slope of the hill-side facing towards 
the south) where the birds had collected for several mornings in succession, and determined to make 
an attempt to witness their antics at close quarters. The ground having been j)rcviously looked over and 
a good hiding-place decided upon, we arrived on the spot an hour before daybreak, and creeping into a regular 
nest of rugs and plaids which the keepers had arranged, I was covered well over with dry heather and brakes, 
and finally sprinkled with snow. The men were then sent away, and I quietly awaited the course of events. 
Sliortly after the first streak of light had appeared in the cast a rush of wings was heard, and a magnificent 
old Blackcock passing within a few feet of my head settled on the open space some twenty yards in front. 
For fully ten minutes there were no other arrivals, and I began to fear some other spot had been chosen for 
the day s amusements ; suddenly three or four more old cocks appeared on the scene, having probably alighted 
quietly on the other side of the brae. For a few moments they remained silently watching one another, 
apparently waiting for a signal from the leader. I next caught sight of two or three small parties flying high in 
the air direct from the hills on the opposite side of a steep burn. After circling once round the spot they alighted 
lover dovn on the hill, and some of them, principally Greyhens, remained where they settled, while the males 
gradually ascended the rising ground, picking their way with the greatest care, carrying their tails high over 
their backs, either to show themselves to the greatest advantage or to avoid contact with the snow. These 
were speedily followed by others, and they kept on gathering till betiveen thirty and forty more were collected 
in a kind of irregular circle. The old cock who had first appeared, and who was evidently looked upon 
as the master of the ceremonies, now advanced into the centre of the arena; his comb was elevated, 
his wings drooped, his tail curled over his back, and every feather, even down to his toes, spread 
out to its fullest extent. After bowing ail round, and apparently being satisfied that no one wished 
to dispute his title to be considered the greatest swell present, he proceeded to execute a kind of pas 
seul, which seemed to consist of a kind of double shuffle, hop, skip, and a jump, and was concluded by 
an almost complete somersault; others with ruffled plumage then made their way towards the open 
ground, strutting jauntily forward as if eager for the fray. Though the demeanour of the combatants 
was certainly threatening, their encounters appeared almost perfectly harmless. After a short interval 
a dozen or more engaged in a general scrimmage or tournament *, which resulted in little or no damao-o 
0 any of the performers beyond the loss of a few feathers. The greater number of those tlilt 
ad assembled hen took their departure, rising on wing after uttering a few low notes and betakino- 
mT miri I'iii’- 
c knoun to take place m early sprmg. Towards the cud of March a few years hack, while passing 
sdcntly rn a punt along the shores of Loch Shin just after daylight. I eanre unexpectcdi; upon a slu 
fl 't^ t° Blackcocks with a few Greyhens on an open patch in a straggling hiroh-plantation 
that stretched down to the water-side. Two of the eoeks were indulging in the most sava.roly contested 
.eiji tr‘%o:c:Ai:r r 
rutrorarento?™'"' “1 appeared to regard the eoITt irit^ 
Glenh^n''a’^f‘**V°“i ^Preading beeches within view of the lodge at Innerwick in 
y j ew lids used often to gather on fine still evenings in sprino* Durin" Mav I ronpn+p 11 +i 
an 0 cock running round and round in circles with raised “and oufsprrad M :;iSy s ^ r* ft “ 
to the admiration o, a group of females who surrounded him ; more than a single male hfing seldom " 
To .ccuratoly doscribc tho whole of Iho evolutions gone through is utterly impossible. 
