46 
BLACK COCK. 
Dr. Latham has considered it as a mere variety of the black grous. 
In his Synopsis Supplement he has recited the accounts given by 
Dr. Sparrman, who says it is of the size of the female great or wood 
grous, and supposed to be produced from that breed and the male 
black grous ; that it varies greatly in colour, scarcely two being found 
exactly corresponding; and that it is a remarkably stupid bird. Its 
notes resemble most that of the wood grous, but are louder, harsher, 
and every way more disagreeable. 
This gentleman likewise remarks, that the birds hitherto met with, 
whether associating with the male birds or females, are ever of the 
male sex ; and that it is not uncommon in the woods of Sweden and 
Finland. 
Mr. Pennant, in his Supplement to the Arctic Zoology, says, the 
spurious grous, or racklehanen of the Swedes, is a breed between 
the cock of the black grous and a female of the great grous ; its note 
partakes of both species. It is restless, constantly moving from tree to 
tree ; it is therefore hated by sportsmen, as it gives other birds notice 
of their approach. This variety is well figured by Dr. Sparrman in his 
Museum Carlsonianum, tab. xv. — P. 
Notwithstanding the above accounts, we cannot help entertaining 
some doubt of its being a mixed breed ; a circumstance so unnatural in 
a state of nature, and of which we find no other instance. 
If this species is met with so commonly in Sweden, how is it that none 
but males are found ? 
The wood grous, as well as the black grous, are found plentifully in 
Norway, and numbers are brought into this country every year ; and 
yet we cannot learn that any such bird as the hybridus is found there. 
And yet Dr. Latham says he was informed by Dr. Tunstall that he was 
told by some old Scotch gentleman that both the wood, as well as the 
spurious grous, were extant in Scotland within their memory. 
We must, however, consider this matter as in a state of obscurity, and 
that nothing has been advanced on the subject to induce us to believe 
that the bird in question is any other than a mere variety of the male 
black grous. Some authors have, indeed, described the female to be 
of a grey colour, spotted with blacl^. 
A singular bird is mentioned in the Naturalist’s Calendar, supposed 
to be a mixed breed between the common fowl and pheasant, shot in the 
woods. But then, in this case, the male or female was a domesticated 
bird, and most probably the former. For further particulars, see the 
article Pheasant. 
* Dr. Fleming says the subject merits attention ; Selby passes it over 
in silence.* 
