TETRAO MLOKOSIEWICGZL, Tez.

Georgian Black Grouse.

Tetrao mlokosiewiczt, Taczanowski, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1875, p. 267.—Dresser, Birds of Europe, part lii. (1876)

 

THE habitat of this species is, so far as we yet know, limited to the Caucasus range, where it was discovered
by a Polish gentleman, Mr. Mlokosiewicz, who forwarded specimens to Dr. Taczanowski at Warsaw in 1875 ;
and they were described by the latter gentleman in the same year. Itis a most interesting fact that a second
species of Black Grouse should turn up in the Caucasian Mountains, where the appearance of a Snow-
Partridge ( Tetraogallus caucasicus) and other genera tends to demonstrate an affinity to the mountain-fauna
of the Himalayas. So thoroughly characteristic, however, of our northern avifauna is the common Black
Grouse (Tetrao tetriv), that the discovery of a second species only shows that the mountainous regions of
the Caucasus form a kind of border-line on which many of the Palearctic and Indian forms inosculate.

The following account of the habits of the present bird was contributed by the discoverer of the
species to Mr. Dresser for publication in the ‘ Birds of Europe: —* I found this Grouse generally distributed
throughout the principal chain of the Caucasus from Kadora (Kachétie, opposite the village of Sabuji, fifteen
versts from Kwarel) to Zakataly, a distance of about a hundred versts. I observed it in the mountains of
Kapuczynsk, the principal place in which is Bezyt, and near Balakna, one of the Bogosk Mountains; and I
fully believe that it occurs throughout the entire chain of mountains. It occurs in the mountains of Armenia
to near the Achalcyk, near the frontiers of Turkey, at Delizana, the highest place on the route from Tiflis
to Erivan, and on Mount Ararat, which makes it probable that it occurs also in Kurdistan. In general it is
found in hilly districts covered with herbage.

‘“T saw a specimen in the Museum at Tiflis, but do not know whence it came, as it is labelled merely
‘ Tetrao tetriv, L.’ It is difficult to define the altitudes of the different localities frequented by this species,
as they vary according to circumstances. For instance, at Lagodechi, on the further end of the mountain,
behind which begins the arable region, it is found at 8700 metres, whereas at Manglis the height attained
is 6320 metres, &c. The localities in the neighbourhood of Lagodechi, as well as in the lowlands in the
district of Kapucrinske, are very varied in their characteristics—cold and and damp, owing to fogs and
incessant rains ; marshes, however, there are none. On the lower border of this region the hill is sprinkled
with the following trees :—/ugus syleatica; Acer, sp.; Sorbus, sp. ; Rosa canina ; Rubus indicus; Fragaria
vesca ; Vaccinium mystillus ; and a species of creeping Juniper which is found at a great height.

«© This Grouse is nowhere numerous, as the region it inhabits is narrow, and it never descends down the
mountains. About twenty years ago jt was much more numerous than it now ts, being, as it were, olen,
owing to the war, as was also Tetraogallus ; for the herdsman were afraid to enter the country nen their
cattle. Now the entire district is full of flocks and herds, especially in the spring, when the grass is still
more scanty in the more elevated regions. The birds are therefore continually disturbed, and their eggs

are taken and eaten by the shepherds. I have generally, I may add, found the males more numerous than

the females.
“‘T know but little of the habits of the present species.

when the males were busy with their courtships and were drumming ort
ombats for the possession of the females so characteristic of the Black

I have shot them late in May and early in June,
; but we were never fortunate enough
to witness them when engaged in the c - an
It is partial to the grassy land ; and I have also met with it at
but I may remark that I never saw any but solitary
amongst the grass or on a stone for hours

Grouse, nor did we hear their pairing-call.
an altitude of at least 11,000 feet amongst the snow ;
males there. I have often seen a male standing motionless : ee
together, whilst some six or seven others were scattered concealed amongst the 2 oe ae ; a
though I racked my brain to think what could possibly be the use of ee Hee sae ae ae
properly understand it. It is not improbable that this solitary bird may be place¢ ast
for he was always the first one shot, a
Possibly the bird has not yet learnt to regard ae as
, thus to more easily watch the movements of the females.

: a |. nd my companions killed most of
if so, he always failed in his duty ;

the specimens they procured when in this position.
its natural foe; or, perhaps, it takes up its position
Be it as it may, there must be some valid reason for
The flight of the male is audible at some distance, the

the bird sitting so long m this stationary position.

. “ree: » ioctl] , Ty >
sound resembling an agreeable whistling. With the

=
a0

G

oy Woe

ie