THE BLACK GROUSE. 
The Black Grouse is about one foot ten 
inches in length, and weighs nearly four pounds. 
The general colour of the plumage is a rich 
black ; above each eye there is a dash of scar- 
let, and below the eye a spot of white ; the 
neck and rump are of a glossy blue ; the under 
tail coverts white ; the lesser wing coverts 
brown, and the greater ones white ; the wing 
is also barred with white : the feathers of the 
tail, when spread out, form a very singular 
curve on each side. The toes are toothed on 
the edges; the eyes are a deep blue, and the 
bill black. These birds are common in cold 
countries ; they frequent the northern parts of 
Scotland, and feed on berries during the win- 
ter, and, in summer, on corn. They do not 
pair, but assemble in flocks. The hen makes 
a careless nest on the ground, and lays from 
five to eight yellowish eggs freckled with brown. 
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