BLACK GROUSE. 
273 
protection during the nesting season, In the same way, the 
mixed plumage of the males no doubt renders them less con- 
spicuous among the patches of snow which, in the more 
northern latitudes, are not melted during the short sutnmer. 
The general habits of the Ptarmigan resemble those of the 
Grouse, their monogamous habits, mode of nesting and feeding, 
bein'^ much the same ; but the call is very different from the 
bee of the latter, and is more of a hoarse croak. The 
female is an excellent mother, taking the greatest care of her 
vouna, and boldly menacing any unexpected intruder who may 
come“on her unawares. She flutters along the ground or runs 
towards her supposed enemy with drooping wings and halting 
gait to attract attention, while the young disappear as by magic, 
and vanish among the crevices of the stones. Ptarmigan 
depend greatly for safely on the perfect harmony of their 
plumage with their natural surroundings, and it is astonishing 
to see how they will sometimes rise all round one, almost from 
under one’s feet, on comparatively^bare ground, without any 
previous evidence of their presence.” 
Nestling, Nest, and Eggs. — Similar to those of the Red Grouse, 
but the eggs of the latter are rather smaller, less thickly covered 
with blotches, and more buff in general appearance. 
the hlack grouse, genus lyrurus. 
Lyrurus, Swains. Faun. Bor. Amer. Birds, p. 497 (1831). 
Type, L. tetrix (Linn.). 
The genus Lyrurus differs from Lagopus in having the feet 
feathered, but the toes are naked and pectinate on the sides. 
There are eighteen tail-feathers, and the outer pair are curved 
outwards in the male. 
Only two species of Lyrurus are known, our own Black 
Grouse, and L. mlokosiewiczi of the Caucasus Mountains. 
I. THE BLACK GROUSE. LYRURUS TETRIX. 
Tetrao tetrix, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 274 (1766); Macgill. Brit. 
B i p. I4S (1837); Dresser, B. Eiir. vii. p. 205, pi. 487 
(1873) ; B. O. U. List. Brit. B. p. 145 (1883); Saunders, 
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