SPORTING. 
there it is found in immense abundance. 
Some are also seen in Hampshire : it is pe- 
culiarly attached to woody and mountainous 
situations ; especially where the hether grows 
large, and where juniper bushes abound. 
The black-grouse perch on trees ; they ne- 
ver pair ; but when the cocks crow, and 
clap their wings, the hens fly to them from 
all quarters. The male weighs full two 
pounds, in general ; the females rather less. 
They live under the snow during great part 
of winter ; but always take the precaution 
of eating their fill of birch catkins, before 
they shelter there. Cherries and pease are 
deleterious to this bird. 
The Red- grouse, Moor -cock, or Red-game. 
This bird lives chiefly on the extensive 
moors in North Britain, and in the northern 
parts of England; also in some of the Wfelsh 
counties. It is supposed to be a native of 
Britain, and, indeed, to be peculiar to our 
islands. The male usually weighs about 
eighteen ounces ; the female about four- 
teen. They pair in the spring, and the 
broods flock together during winter ; being 
then remarkably vigilant and shy. Tliey 
usually resort to the summits of hills cover- 
ed with hether, juniper, bilberry, &c. it is 
necessary to draw thfem so soon as killed ; 
else they speedily become tainted. Setters 
are better than pointers for following red- 
grouse, on account of their long hair, which 
protects them from the action of the co- 
verts ; but, to enable their acting with vi- 
gour, they must often be supplied with wa- 
ter ; which, on many moors, will not be 
readily found. This sport commences on 
the iStli of August. In 1801, a gentleman 
in Invernessshire shot fifty-two brace of 
moor-game in one day, all single, and on the 
wing. 
The White-grouse, White-game, or Ptar- 
magan, is about the same size as the red- 
grouse ; but its plumage is of a pale brown, 
or ash colour, mottled with dusky spots and 
minute bars ; the head and neck have 
brood-bars of black, rust colour, and white; 
the wings are white, as is the belly. The 
males are beautifully plumed. In winter 
the ptarmagan is nearly white ; they are 
feathered to the very claws, and have strong 
hairs growing upon their soles. This bird 
seems to delight in a cold temperature ; al- 
ways following the snow, (even to the sum- 
mits of the Grampians), in which it bur- 
rows ; it carefully avoids the solar rays. 
The Greenlanders catch them by dropping 
loops over their necks, as they sit at the 
moutlis of their burrows, or on stones of 
their own colour, which they carefully se- 
lect to roost upon during bleak, dull wea- 
ther. In Nova Scotia, they are called 
‘‘ birch-partridges in that quarter their 
feathers grow double, during the cold 
months. 
The Quail is but little known in Eng- 
land : it may be considered as a small kind 
of partridge ; but it Is a bird of passage. 
There are supposed to be at least two hun- 
dred varieties ; though we rarely see more 
than two kinds ; viz. the brown, and the 
brindled ; the latter are, however, extreme- 
ly scarce. Quails, in our climate, are, in 
their habits, pretty similar to partridges ; 
but, where they abound, may be seen in 
bevies, consisting of more than a hundred 
birds. They are easily domesticated, but 
for a while only : at the period of migra- 
tion they invariably disappear ; it is said, 
they sometimes return to their former 
homes. They sleep chiefly during the day, 
and at night, ramble to any place where 
corn is ripe, or has been cut : being ex- 
tremely vigilant, and running very fast, it 
is not easy to put them up. 'ITiey aie pe- 
culiarly litigious, and rarely desist until dis- 
abled. They will hot visit any country 
where herbage is scarce, or deficient in ver- 
dure. They make no nest, but scrape to- 
gether any rubbish, or even sit in small hol- 
lows, without any preparation whatever. 
The young are very hardy, and; in a week, 
shift' for themselves: usually about ten 
eggs are found in a nest. As quails take 
very short flights, and those generally 
straight, they are excellent practice for the 
young sportsman: very small shot will kill 
them. 
Corn-crakes, Land-rails, or Daker-hens, 
are always found among corn, grass, bi*oom, 
or furze : they mierate before winter. The 
peculiar note of this bird subjects it to im- 
mediate discovery ; tlie repeated sound of 
a'ek, crek, crek, (somewhat similar to spring- 
ing the edges of a fine comb), from the 
thickest part of our meadows, is sure to an- 
nouncelts arrival ; generally about the mid- 
dle of May. It lays about fifteen or twen- 
ty eggs ; the young birds are covered with 
a black down, and are v4ry active. Corn- 
crakes are of a strong scent, and cause dogs 
to remain for a long time in search ; their 
unwiliingriess to rise occasions many to be 
caught by hand , they will not fly until ab- 
solutely compelled ; and then very heavily, 
with pendent legs, and to a short distance ; 
but they run very fast. When flitted, they 
usually perch in a hedge. They mix niuch 
