Half a dozen male black grouse, perhaps more, are gathered on a small patch of open ground, their plumage the deepest inky black punctuated by livid red eyebrows. Each inflates his neck, emphasising the lustrous sheen of his blue-black feathers, and arches down his head before thrusting it forward. A lyrate tail opens behind and white under-tail covert feathers puff up in an extravagant bustle, while broad black wings, banded and spotted with white, are bowed down and spread. As a final visual flourish, in the heat of display, the curious, sea-anemone-like wattles of bare skin above their eyes are engorged with blood and stand proud on their heads, thick gashes of scarlet.
As if the splendour of this martial costume weren’t enough, black grouse produce a music that has…
