274 



TDE RUFFED GROUSE. 







BVFFED QROrSE. 



Altliongli, ])roperly S])eaking, sedentary, yet at the aiiproach of 

 autumn, tliey make ])artial migrations by single families in quest of a 

 supply of food. In the northern parts of New England, at the ajiproach 

 of winter, they leave the hills for lower and more sheltered situations. 



He is a fine bird when his gaiety is displayed ; that is, when he 

 spreads his tail like that of a Turkey-cock, and erects the circle of 

 feathers round his neck like a ruff, walking with a stately and even 

 paoe, and making a noise somewhat like that of a Turkey. This is the 

 moment which the sjwrtsman seizes to fire at him, for, if the bird 

 observes that he is discovered, he immediately flies off to a distance of 

 several hundred yards before he again alights. 



There is something very remarkable in what is called the thumpi)i(/ 

 of these birds. This they do, as the sj)ortsmen tell us, by clapping 

 their wings against their sides. They stand upon an old fallen tree, 

 and in this station they begin their strokes gradually, at about 

 two seconds of time from another, and repeat them quicker and 

 quicker, until they make a noise not unlike distant thunder. Thii 

 continues, from the beginning, about a minute ; the bird ceases for 

 six or eight minutes, and then begins again. The sound jb often 

 heard at the distance of nearly half a mile ; and sportsmen take ad- 

 vantage of this note, to discover the birds, and shoot them. The 

 Grouse commonly practise their thumping during the spring and fall 

 of the year, at about nine or tea o'clock in the morning, and four or 

 five in the afternoon 



