602 AVES— RUFFED GROUSE. 



ant is found in America. The ruffed grouse is known in almost every quar« 

 ter of the United States, and appears to inhabit a very extensive range of 

 country. Its favorite places of resort are high mountains covered with the 

 balsam, pine, hemlock, and such like evergreens. Unlike the pinnated 

 grouse, it always prefers the woods ; is seldom or never found in open plains ; 

 but loves the pine sheltered declivities of mountains near streams of water. 

 In the lower parts of Georgia, Carolina, and Florida, they are very seldom 

 observed ; but as we advance inland to the mountains, they again make 

 their appearance. 



The manners of the ruffed grouse are solitary ; they are seldom found in 

 coveys of more than four or five together, and more usually in pairs or singly. 

 They leave the woods early in the morning, and seek the path or road, to 

 pick up gravel, and glean among the droppings of the horses. If the weather 

 be foggy or lowering, they are sure of being found in such situations. They 

 generally move along with great stateliness, their broad fan-like tail spread 

 out. The drumming, as it is generally called, of the pheasant, is another 

 singularity of this species. This is performed by the male alone. It is a 

 kind of thump, like that produced by two fullblown ox bladders being struck 

 together ; the strokes at first are low and distinct, but gradually increase in 

 rapidity till they run into each other. This may be heard half a mile off, 

 and is produced in the following manner. — The bird standing on an old pros- 

 trate log, lowers his wings, erects his tail, contracts his throat, elevates the 

 two tufts of feathers on his neck, and inflates his whole body somewhat in 

 the manner of the turkey cock, strutting and wheeling about with great 

 stateliness. After a few manoeuvres of this kind, he begins to strike with 

 his stiffened wings in short and quick strokes, which become more and 

 more rapid as has been described. This is most common in the morning 

 and evening; and by this means the gunner is led to the place of his re- 

 treat. 



The bird springs within a few yards, with a loud whizzing sound, and 

 flies with great vigor through the woods beyond reach of view before it 

 alights. They are exceedingly fond of the seeds of grapes, and eat chesnuts, 

 blackberries, and ants. In the fall they feed on whortleberries and partridge 

 berries, the last of which give their flesh a peculiar and delicate flavor. 

 During winter they eat the buds of the alder and laurel. At this time their 

 flesh is unwholesome. 



The ruffed grouse is eighteen inches long. The upper parts of the body 

 are of a bright rust color, marked with spots of white. The under parts are 

 white, and the tail beautifully marked with black. There is a tuft of large 

 black feathers on each side of the neck, which it occasionally raises- 



