DUSKY GROUSE* 
191 
W . 
f (!l | : lUt >infr in the nest until they are full fledged, and 
■j!,' 1 the mean time by the parents. 
S r ouse dwell in forests, especially such as are - 
siq. j a,| d situated in mountainous districts; the Bona- 
^ however, and the Tetrao cupido, frequenting plains 
'lie ? S r °w trees of various kinds. The Lagopodes of 
'V. *' c regions, or ptarmigans, are also found on the 
Novated mountains of central Europe, where the 
W' erat ure corresponds to that of more northern 
Yil[ u hes. Here they keep among the tufts of dwarf 
C*s, which, with pines, form the principal vcgeta- 
these climates. The grouse feed almost exclu- 
Cf on leaves, buds, berries, and especially the young 
>t e . ts of trees, pines, spruce, or birch, resorting to 
tt ^ Only when compelled by scarcity of other food, 
lichen their usual means of subsistence are buried 
y 0 ea ti» the snow. They sometimes, especially when 
'if 3 ?, pick up a few insects and worms, and are fond 
fo t| hts’ eggs. Like other gallinaceous birds, they are 
Of * a ntly employed in scratching the earth, are fond 
tigering themselves with dust, and swallow small 
68 an d gravel to assist digestion. No birds are 
Hi) decidedly and tyrannically polygamous. As soon 
females arc fecundated, the male deserts them, 
WHr no farther about them nor their progeny, to 
ffilj Solitary life. Like perfidious seducers, they are 
H r 
Oii v wl attentions however, and display the greatest 
Oft® 1 ? to secure the possession of those they are 
towards so ready to abandon. The nuptial season 
itiijj^nces when tlie leaves first appear in spring. The 
ir e s 'hen appear quite intoxicated w'ith passion : they 
Of , s<! «n, either on the ground, or on the fallen trunks 
fi 6f e ®8, with a proud deportment, an inflamed and 
ikf ^e, the feathers of the head erected, the wings 
)>ed. 
a h, 
in all sorts of extravagant attitudes, and expressing 
'list f eelings by sounds so loud as to be heard at a great 
] lf J ln ce. y^is season of ardour and abandonment is 
t,,;r a <'tod till June. The deserted female lays, nnno- 
q «y the male, far apart on the ground, among low 
l> the tail widely spread, parading and strutting 
