THE RUFFED GROUSE. 493 



described. The universal habit of all this family of Gallinacese is rather to run and roost in 

 little squads or flocks. Whence this difference in the habits of the same bird, who knows ? 

 Ah ! whence the difference ? That is the question." 



The nest of the Pinnated Grouse is a rude structure of grasses and leaves, and placed 

 under the shadow of a bush or a tuft of thick grass. The eggs are brownish- white, and about 

 fifteen in number. 



The color of the Pinnated Grouse is mottled with black, white, and chestnut-brown, 

 the male having two wing-like appendages on the neck, composed of eighteen feathers, five 

 long and black, and thirteen shorter, streaked with black and brown. The male is also 

 known by the slight crest on the head, a semicircular comb of orange-colored skin over 

 each eye, and the naked appendages to the neck already described. He is also larger 

 than his mate. The under parts are brown, marked with white in broken transverse bars, 

 and the throat is white with mottlings of reddish-brown and black. The length is about 

 nineteen inches. 



The Prairie Chicken, as this bird is also called, a most familiar and valuable species, is 

 confined to the valley of the Mississippi, and eastward to Pocono Mountains, in Pennsylvania. 

 It was formerly common in New England, and some have been seen lately in Martha's Vine- 

 yard. In the earliest days of spring the Prairie Chickens separate into small parties, and 

 when the nesting season commences their peculiar movements are commenced. A space is 

 selected, where the males meet and engage in furious battles. At this season they are espe- 

 cially pompous. "With outspread tails, and uplifted heads, and their orange-colored neck-bulbs 

 extended to their utmost, they utter their characteristic booming sound. Their wings are 

 declined, like those of the turkey, in such demonstrations. They rise in the air and strike at 

 each other as the game-cock does in combat. On the appearance of a female in answer to 

 their calls, they at once engage in terrific combat. The booming sound is heard before day- 

 break, and also before sunset. 



The eggs are said to be from eight to twelve in number. This Grouse is easily tamed, and 

 is domesticated to a certain extent. Mr. Audubon kept a large number, and had several 

 broods of young from them. The old ones fought the turkeys, and even the dung-hill cock 

 exhibiting great courage. The flight of these birds is strong and swift, though less so than is 

 the case with the ruffed Grouse. 



The flesh, as an edible, is gamey, but is esteemed as excellent. The New York market is 

 now constantly supplied with it in the season. The name Prairie Grouse was probably given 

 it from the fact that it habitually seeks the open field, even when hunted. 



A variety found in Texas differs somewhat in color of plumage. 



THE RUFFED GROUSE (Bonasa umbellus), called Partridge in New England, Birch Par- 

 tridge in the British provinces, and Pheasant in the Middle States, is found in all parts of the 

 wooded region of eastern North America, from Georgia to Nova Scotia, and from the Atlantic 

 to the Rocky Mountains. 



In the spring, this bird feeds on buds of several kinds of trees, the birch being a favorite, 

 which gives a peculiar and agreeable flavor to the meat. The flight of this Grouse is low, 

 straightforward, and continues for a few hundred yards, at the time beating his wings. It 

 rises with a loud, whirring noise when disturbed. Unlike the prairie chicken, it seeks the 

 woods when flushed. Early in May the drumming of the males commences. They stand on 

 a log or elevated spot in a retired part of the woods, lower the wings, expand the tail, and, 

 inflating the whole body, with neck thrown back, strut about pompously. They then begin 

 to strike the wings against the body with a short, rapid motion, producing a sound resembling 

 the beating together of two distended bladders. The rapidity is increased to such an extent 

 the sound appears to be continuous. These sounds may be heard at all hours, but more gen- 

 erally early in the morning. The broad fan-tail of this Grouse is especially beautiful, and is 

 exhibited in full when it is parading before the female at the commencement of the breeding 

 season. 



