In our own country these birds associate in small packs, and live among rocks, perching on the stones, and, when alarmed, taking shelter beneath them. They feed on mountain berries, the buds of trees, and the young shoots of the heath. The females form their nests on the ground, and lay in them from six to ten eggs, which are of a dusky colour with reddish brown spots.
It is a very extraordinary ordination of Providence, that these birds at the commencement of winter should assume a white plumage, by which, being incapable of defence, they are able, amidst the winter's snows, to elude the pursuit of their enemies. And not only this, but, as an additional protection against the cold, all the feathers except those of the wings and tail are now doubled.
As food, these birds are said very much to resemble the red grous in flavour.
166. The WOOD GROUS, or CAPERCAILE (Tetrao urogallus), is a bird nearly as large as a turkey, its plumage varied, but bay above, marked with blackish lines; the tail rounded, and the under parts at the base of the wings white.
This bird is found in the northern parts of Europe and Asia; and (though very rarely) in the Highlands of Scotland north of Inverness.
There can be no doubt but, in ancient times, these birds were common in the mountainous parts of South Britain. In countries where pine forests are numerous, they feed on the buds of fir-trees, and on the young cones, so as sometimes to render the taste of their flesh extremely unpalatable. They are also partial to the berries of the juniper.
The females form their nests on the ground, and lay from eight to sixteen eggs, which are of a white colour spotted with yellow.
167. PARTRIDGES (Tetrao perdix) are particularly distinguished, by having, under the eyes, a naked scarlet spot; the tail rust-coloured, the breast brown, and the legs of light colour.
These birds are found in nearly all the countries of Europe, and in many of the temperate parts of Asia.
In the autumn and winter, partridges are generally found in coveys, as they are called, of ten or fifteen birds, consisting of the parents and their brood. They are killed, by sportsmen, in immense numbers, for the table; and in all the ways in which they are cooked they are an highly esteemed food.