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grouse

grouse

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

grouse common name for a game bird of the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere. There are about 18 species. Grouse are henlike terrestrial birds, protectively plumaged in shades of red, brown, and gray. The nostrils are entirely hidden by feathers, and the legs are partially or completely feathered.

The most common eastern American grouse is the ruffed grouse (sometimes miscalled partridge or pheasant), Bonasa umbellus, a forest bird noted for the drumming sound made by the male during its elaborate courtship dance. The ptarmigan ( Lagopus lagopus ), or snow grouse, is an arctic species that migrates to the NW United States in winter, when its plumage changes from rusty brown to white, matching the snow. Western American grouse include the prairie chicken, Tympanuchus cupido, once common in the East, and the sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus. The latter, called also sage hen, sage cock, or cock of the plains, is the largest American grouse (25–30 in./62.5–70 cm long) and so named because its flesh tastes strongly of sage—the result of feeding on sagebrush buds. The males of both these species are distinguished by yellow air sacs on the neck that inflate to an enormous size during courtship. European species include the capercaillie, the largest grouse (roughly the size of turkey), and the black grouse. The red grouse is found in Great Britain.

Striking fluctuations in the abundance of all grouse species occur in intervals of 7 to 10 years. A combination of factors, rather than a single explanation, appears to be the cause for this not entirely understood phenomenon. Fortunately, grouse have high reproductive rates, which enable them to restore their populations after a low-level period.

Grouse are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Galliformes, family Tetraonidae.

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grouse

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

grouse1 / grous/ • n. (pl. same) a game bird (Lagopus, Tetrao, and other genera) with a plump body and feathered legs, the male being larger and more conspicuously colored than the female. The grouse family (Tetraonidae, or Phasianidae) also includes ptarmigans, capercaillies, and prairie chickens. grouse2 • v. [intr.] complain pettily; grumble: she heard him grousing about his assistant. • n. a grumble or complaint: our biggest grouse was about the noise of the construction work. DERIVATIVES: grous·er n.

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grouse

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition | 2005 | | Copyright

grouse Game bird, Lagopus lagopus. Shooting period in the UK is 12 August to 10 December; eaten fresh or after being hung for 2–4 days to develop flavour. The whole bird weighs about 700 g; a 150‐g portion is an extremely rich source of iron and vitamin B2; rich source of protein, niacin, and vitamin B1; contains about 8 g of fat, of which one‐fifth is saturated; supplies 250 kcal (1050 kJ).
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DAVID A. BENDER. "grouse." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "grouse." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-grouse.html

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grouse

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

grouse Plump gamebird of n areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Grouse are fowl-like, but have feathered ankles and toes and brightly coloured air sacs on the neck. Family Tetraonidae. See also prairie chicken
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grouse

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

grouse2 grumble. XIX. orig. a soldier's word; its resemblance in form to Norman dial. groucer, OF. groucier, var. of grouchier (see GRUDGE) is remarkable, but immediate connection with it seems impossible.
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T. F. HOAD. "grouse." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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grouse

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

grouse1 gallinaceous bird with feathered feet. XVI. The pronunc. points to an orig. ū, which is preserved (perh. locally) in such early forms as grewes, groose; of unkn. orig.
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grouse

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

grouse See TETRAONIDAE.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "grouse." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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grouse

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

grouse •douse, dowse, Gauss, grouse, house, Klaus, louse, Manaus, mouse, nous, Rouse, souse, spouse, Strauss •Windaus • madhouse • cathouse •Gasthaus • guardhouse • farmhouse •glasshouse • bathhouse • almshouse •penthouse • guesthouse • warehouse •playhouse •bakehouse, steakhouse •alehouse, jailhouse •gatehouse, statehouse •treehouse • wheelhouse • greenhouse •clearing house • meeting house •counting house • ice house •lighthouse, White House •doghouse • dollhouse •chophouse, flophouse •dosshouse •hothouse, pothouse •poorhouse, storehouse, whorehouse •courthouse • malthouse • Bauhaus •town house • outhouse • coach house •roadhouse • smokehouse • boathouse •oast house • schoolhouse •Wodehouse • cookhouse • clubhouse •nuthouse • beerhouse • powerhouse •summerhouse • barrelhouse •porterhouse, slaughterhouse, Waterhouse •workhouse • lobscouse • woodlouse •field mouse • titmouse • dormouse

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