490 
THE BLACK GROUSE, OR BLACK COCK 
Like the two preceding species, tlie male bird resorts at the beginning of the breeding 
season to some open spot where he utters his love-calls, and displays his new clothes to the 
greatest advantage, for the purpose of attracting to his harem as many wives as possible. The 
BLACK GKOUSE. — Tetrao teirix. 
note of the Black Cock when thus engaged is loud and resonant, and can be heard at a consid- 
erable distance. This crowing sound is accompanied by a harsh, grating, stridulous kind of 
cry, which has been likened to the noise produced by whetting a scythe. The Black Cock 
does not pair, but leaves his numerous mates to the duties of maturity and incubation, and 
follows his own desires while they prepare their nests, lay their eggs, hatch them, and bring 
up the young. The mother-bird is a fond and watchful parent, and when she has been alarmed 
