356 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



that neither the natural wildness of the bird, nor the want of 

 proper food, would prevent their being reared by any one who 

 is willing to take the trouble. 



The grous feeds on berries of various kinds, in their season, 

 the acorns of dwarf oaks, and the buds and leaves of trees. In 

 summer, they pick whortleberries and cranberries, and some- 

 times venture into a field to pick the leaves of clover. It is 

 said, that, sometimes in winter, when they are hard pressed 

 with hunger, they will feed on the buds of the pine. They 

 are also known, under those circumstances, to join the domes- 

 tic poultry. 



The tooting, for which these birds are remarkable, is pro- 

 duced by means of the air bags at the side. When these, re- 

 sembling a small orange, are inflated, the bird lowers its head, 

 opens its bill, and sends forth the air contained in these recep- 

 tacles, in a succession of rolling notes, like those of a muffled 

 drum. In parts of the country where the birds are become 

 few and wild, this sound is seldom made after sun-rise, and 

 sometimes the battles of the rival males are carried on in si- 

 lence, and the scratching grounds carefully concealed. 



The nest is built in May, with dry leaves and grasses, inter- 

 woven, and is carefully placed amidst the tall grass of a large 

 tuft, where it is not often discovered. The eggs, from eight 

 to twelve in number, resemble those of the preceding species, 

 though somewhat larger in size. The female sits nearly three 

 weeks, and as soon as the young are hatched, leads them away 

 from the nest. When surprised, they conceal themselves, like 

 young partridges, and one may search for them in vain, though 

 perhaps he is treading them under his feet. In autumn, the 

 different families associate together, sometimes in very large 

 parties. Their most dangerous enemies are the hawk, the 

 skunk, and the greatest of all destroyers, man. 



The only place where they are now found in Massachusetts, 

 is in Martha's Vineyard, and one small island near it ; and 

 there, though pains are taken to protect them, they are said to 

 diminish fast, the high price which they command in the mar- 

 ket, being a strong temptation to shoot them. Cats, also, which 



