BLACK GROUS. FEMALE. 
The colour of this bird differs so materially from that of the male, that 
Gesner was induced to consider it as a distinct species. Her tail is like- 
wise less forked, and she is considerably less, being only one foot six 
inches in length, and weighing about two pounds. 
As soon as she becomes impregnated, she seeks the most sequestered 
spot, where she retires. She is at very little pains in forming her nest; 
laying six or eight eggs, according to some, and even from twelve to 
twenty, according to the Count de Buffon, of a dull yellowish white 
colour, marked with small ferruginous specks, and towards the smaller 
end with larger blotches of the same colour. 
As soon as the chickens are twelve or fourteen days old, they flap their 
wings and attempt to fly; but it is five or six weeks before they are able to 
rise from the ground, and then they perch on the trees with their mother: 
the young males quit their mother in the beginning of winter, and keep in 
flocks of seven or eight till spring; during that time they inhabit the 
woods. They are very quarrelsome, fighting most furiously like game- 
cocks with each other, until the vanquished are put to flight; and at that 
time they are so inattentive to their own safety, that two or three have 
frequently been killed at one shot. 
