354 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The note of the quail is well known, being generally inter- 

 preted into the prediction, more wet, more wet ; the sounds are 

 continued for a long time. This note of the male is most fre- 

 quent and loud in the month of September. Sometimes 

 there is an introductory whistle preceding the clear and em- 

 phatic more wet, or bob white. This call may be easily imi- 

 tated so as to deceive the bird. When a covey are about to 

 take wing, they make a sound resembling that of young chick- 

 ens ; when they separate, the parent assembles them by a 

 plaintive and expressive call. 



The Ruffed Grous, Tetrao umbellus, is called pheasant in 

 the middle and western states, and partridge in New England ; 

 a confusion of names somewhat perplexing. These elegant 

 birds generally keep themselves within the shelter of the woods, 

 and prefer those which grow on the sides of mountains. There 

 they can find their food at all seasons ; it consists, in spring 

 and autumn, of the buds of various trees, the catkins of the 

 alder and hazle, and all the berries that the fields and forest 

 afford. In Avinter, they live on the buds of apple-trees, laurels 

 and azaleas, together with the berries of the wintergreen, and 

 the favorite partridge berry, which they are able to rescue from 



the snow. 



The ruffed grous begins its drumming in April ; the sound 

 is heard most frequently at the beginning and at the close of 

 day. It is produced by the male, who beats his sides with such 

 a rapid motion as to make this sound resembling distant thun- 

 der, which is heard at a prodigious distance in the woods. It 

 is said to be imitated by striking an inflated bladder with a 

 stick ; on hearing it, the male takes it for a challenge, and as 

 he comes forth to do battle with his supposed rival, he falls an 

 easy prey. The nest is constructed in May. It is little more 

 than a handful of leaves, spread under a bush, or at the side of 

 a fallen log, and unlike that of the quail, it has no roof above. 

 The eggs are from nine to fifteen, brownish white. The young 

 leave the nest as soon as hatched, and are led by the mother 

 with a cluck like that of the hen. If the family are sur- 



