322 Birds. 
THE BLACK COCK, (Tetrao tetrix,) 
Is about four pounds in weight ; but the female, which 
is usually called the Grey Hen, is often not more than 
two. The plumage of the whole body of the male is 
black, and glossed over the neck and rump with shining 
blue ; the coverts of the wings are of a dusky brown, 
with the quill feathers black and white. The tail is 
much forked in the male. These birds never pair ; but 
in the spring the males assemble at their accustomed 
haunts on the tops of heathy mountains, where they 
crow and clap their wings : 
" And from the pine's high top brought down 
The giant Grouse, while boastful he display'd 
His breast of varying green, and crow'd and clapp'd 
His glossy wings." 
Gisborne. 
The females, at this signal, resort to them. The males 
are very quarrelsome, and fight together like game-cocks. 
On these occasions they are so inattentive to their own 
safety, that two or three have sometimes been killed at 
one shot ; and instances have occurred of their having 
been knocked down with a stick. 
