Part 40

THE RED GROUSE Lagopus scoticus (Latham)

This is the only exclusively British species which is found nowhere else--if we except the local races of many of the smaller birds, which can only be distinguished on a very close examination. Our Grouse differs from the "Ryper" of Norway, which is its nearest ally, by its black primaries, and in the fact that it does not assume a white dress in winter.

It inhabits moorlands from the limit of heather growth to the coast-line, and is generally and widely distributed throughout Scotland and the northern half of England, as far south as Glamorganshire in Wales, but on the east it does not occur south of the Trent. In Ireland it is fairly well distributed, but not so common as in Scotland.

Unlike the two former species, the Red Grouse is strictly monogamous, pairing very early in the season, when his call-note of "go back, go back," may frequently be heard. The nest is a scrape among the heather, no materials being added. Ten to twelve eggs form the usual clutch; they are very handsome, being of a pale ground colour, thickly and profusely marked with dark reddish brown.

The male waits on the hen during incubation, warning her of the approach of danger with a sharp "kok, kok, kok." Their food consists of various seeds and berries, together with the leaves and shoots of plants, and the tips of ling and heather; in autumn they also visit the harvest-fields.

The young are fed on insects. This species keeps, as a rule, in family parties, only packing together during severe weather in the less exposed places, but where they are much driven and shot, they are often found in large flocks.

They vary considerably in their plumage, about which more information is needed. The male is dark brown, barred with reddish, and is often nearly black on the breast and whitish on the vent. The female is similarly coloured, but lighter. Length 16 in.; wing 8·4 in.

THE PTARMIGAN Lagopus mutus (Montin)

Closely allied to the Red Grouse, the Ptarmigan is found on the higher slopes of the Scottish Highlands from Perthshire northwards. Elsewhere in these islands it is unknown.

In habits and food it hardly differs from the Grouse; the nest is placed among stones on the ground, and the eggs, except in being rather smaller and slightly lighter in colour, are undistinguishable from those of that species.

The Ptarmigan passes through a complicated plumage cycle, having three distinct plumages; in summer the male is dark brown, vermiculated with grey on the head, breast, and upper parts. Wings white, tail dark brown, belly white. The female is pale yellowish brown, barred with dark brown. In autumn the upper parts become slate grey, finely vermiculated with dark brown, and in winter both sexes are entirely white, except that the male has black lores. Length 14·5 in.; wing 7·75 in.

Most of the so-called "Ptarmigan" in our poulterers' shops are the Willow Grouse or "Ryper" from Scandinavia and Russia. They may be distinguished by their larger size and the absence, in the males, of the black lores.

THE PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus (Linnæus)

This species is so well known that we need occupy but little space in dealing with it.

It is now generally distributed throughout our islands, and was first introduced into England, to which it is not an indigenous bird, from a district of South Russia near the Black Sea, at some period previous to the Norman Conquest. To Scotland and Ireland it was imported during the latter half of the sixteenth century. During the last hundred years another species, the Chinese Ring-necked Pheasant, has been imported, and has so interbred with the original birds that the pure Colchian Pheasant is hardly ever shot at the present day.

The Pheasant is a woodland bird, roosting on trees and roaming in the fields during the day in search of its food, which consists chiefly of grain and seed, but during the summer months many insects are eaten. It is polygamous, and the nest is placed in thick cover on the ground; ten to twelve pale brown eggs form the usual clutch. The hen is said to be a bad mother and to desert her eggs if disturbed, but this has probably been largely brought about by the artificial conditions under which they are now kept.

In spite of their size and proportionately short wings, they are strong fliers, and when well on the wing progress at a considerable pace; if possible, however, they generally try to escape by running and squatting low on the ground until closely approached, when they rise with their well-known "whirr." The male has a short "crow," accompanied usually by a rattling of the wings.

No description of this well-known bird is needed. The Chinese form only differs from the original breed in having a white ring round the neck.

THE PARTRIDGE Perdrix cinerea, Latham

In England the Partridge is an exceedingly abundant species, but in Scotland and Ireland, although well distributed, it is much more local. It is strictly monogamous, pairing very early in the year, but nesting operations are rarely commenced before the end of April or early in May. The nest is a scrape in some hedge bottom, or on a grassy bank, and often contains as many as fifteen to twenty eggs, which are somewhat pyriform in shape, and of a uniform olive brown in colour. This species chiefly inhabits the open cultivated districts, where it feeds on various seeds and grain, but in summer insects are largely consumed, and the young are at first fed on them exclusively.

During the early autumn and winter the various families keep together, forming the well-known "coveys," but if the weather be severe these birds will "pack" in large flocks like Grouse.

A description of this well-known bird is hardly necessary. The male differs from the female in the brighter yellowish chestnut of the head and greyer neck, and the wing coverts are longitudinally striped with buff in the male, but in the female they are barred.

In young birds the general tone of the plumage is paler, and the feathers have a median buff longitudinal stripe. Length 12·5 in.; wing 6 in.

THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Caccabis rufa (Linnæus)

This species has been introduced into this country at various times from 1770 onwards, and is now well established in several districts. Its home on the Continent is the east and south of France, Spain, and North-western Italy, where it inhabits dry and mountainous districts. In this country it can only be called common in the East Anglian counties, though it is also found on both sides of the Thames valley and in some parts of the Midlands. The damp climate of the west does not suit it, and attempts to introduce it into Scotland and Ireland have failed.

In food and habits it is somewhat similar to the Common Partridge, but its habit of running instead of getting on the wing renders it less desirable as a sporting bird, and its flesh is decidedly inferior. It lays its eggs in banks or under hedges, well concealed by thick cover, without any attempt at a nest beyond a slight scrape. The eggs are yellowish white, speckled with brown, and are slightly larger than those of the Common Partridge. The note is a harsh "clink, clink, clinkar," and the male assists the female in rearing the young.

They are not quite so gregarious as the preceding species, and old males, except during the breeding season, frequently lead a solitary existence.

The sexes are alike in plumage, but the male has a blunt spur. The throat and cheeks are white, bordered with black. Sides of neck and breast grey, spotted with black. Crown grey; stripe above the eye white. Rest of upper parts warm rufous brown. Under parts fawn colour; flanks grey, boldly barred with black and chestnut. Bill and legs deep coral red.