TETRAO TETRIX, Lmn. 
Blackcock. 
Tetrao tetrix, Linn. Faun. Suec., p. 73. 
juniperonim, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl., p. 609. 
rupestris, Brehm, ibid., p. 513. 
Urogallus tetrix, Kaup, Natiirl. Syst., p. 180. 
Lyrurus tetrix, Swains. Faun. Bor. Amer., p. 497. 
How little Interest would attach to any one class of the earth’s productions were variation not to occur among 
them! Infinite, indeed, is the variation of colouring and form among birds and every other class of animated 
creatures ! Nature evidently revels in variety ; and marvellously does she display it. Who is there that 
does not derive pleasure from viewing the resplendent hues of the Monaul or Impeyan Pheasant of the 
higher regions of Asia, or the brilliant Flycatchers (Pericrocoti) of the plains of India ? Who can examine 
the Trochilidce of the New World, or the Birds of Paradise of the Old, without being amazed at the many 
variations, both of form and colouring, which occur among them ? These remarks have been called forth 
by my observing that in like manner a great variation also exists in that more sombre-coloured but 
important family of Birds the Tetraonidce, or Grouse, among which the present species is rendered especially 
conspicuous by the remarkable lyre-shaped tall of the male, wdiich is sufficiently familiar to every one from 
its being worn in the bonnets of our northern neighbours as an emblem of their country : and well may the 
Highlander be proud of this noble bird, since it is in his portion of the British Islands that it is principally 
found ; for while, with the exception of the Outer Hebrides and the Orkney Islands, the Blackcock is to be 
met with in all the shires of Scotland, from north to south, it is less numerous in many of the northern and 
still more so in some of the southern counties of England. In Ireland it does not now, if it ever did, exist ; 
and of those which inhabit certain parts of England, some at least have undoubtedly been introduced. 
Out of England and Scotland, the Blackcock inhabits all the mountainous countries of Northern Europe, 
many parts of Germany, and some of France, Switzerland, and Savoy, going further south than either the 
Capercailzie or the Ptarmigan. Specimens from Switzerland have the tail much more produced than 
those frequenting England and more northern countries ; and I have also seen examples from Siberia in 
which that organ was still more (Indeed, extraordinarily) developed. 
The Tetrao tetrix, although sometimes found in the heather, does not confine Itself to the districts where 
that plant is existent, but especially loves to dwell bn the sides of scrubby hills and sedgy bottoms that are 
sufficiently dense to afford it shelter from the sight of man and its other enemies. It readily perches on trees 
and bushes, dykes and stone walls, and such like. Its food consists of the tops of grasses and other vege- 
tables, to which are added seeds and grain when procurable ; neither does it reject the wild blauberries 
and whortleberries; ripened haws are also greedily eaten during the months of autumn and winter. It is poly- 
gamous in its habits, but deserts the female as soon as the period of incubation has passed, and then becomes 
very sby and wary. Like some others of the Grouse-tribe, the Great Snipe, and the Ruff, the Blackcock 
has its lek or meeting-place, where the males assemble, display themselves to the utmost advantage, and 
fight for the females. These and other habits of the bird are so well described in Mr. Lloyd’s ‘ Game-Birds 
and Wild Fowl of Sweden and Norway,’ that I shall be excused for transcribing his account from personal 
observation : — 
“The sight of the Blackcock is reputed to he very piercing; and its senses of hearing and seeing 
exquisite, surpassing those of any of its confreres. Its flight, though somewhat noisy, is lighter than that of 
the Capercailzie ; and it may often be seen flying both high in the air and to a long distance. Northern or- 
nithologists tell us ‘it is a wild, shy, and crafty bird.’ To judge from its proceedings during the pairing- 
season, it is certainly of a most pugnacious and savage disposition. 
“ The Blackcock, like the Capercailzie, has its ‘ lek-sttille ’ or pairing-ground. A morass, a ‘ clearing ’ 
in the forest, or, it may be, the frozen surface of a lake is usually selected ; and to the same locality, unless 
subjected to unusual disturbance, the birds resort for years together. The pairing-season usually 
commences in the more central and southern portion of the peninsula about the middle of March, or 
perhaps somewhat later, and continues until the end of May. But in the north, where the snow often covers 
the ground until the spring is far advanced, it begins and terminates somewhat later. The birds repair 
over night to the vicinity of the ‘ lek stiille,’ where they assemble even before the first dawn of day. 
One and all make their appearance at the same time, the number depending on their abundance or 
