32 RUFFED GROUSE 



be most anxious to preserve the beautiful objects 

 of the countries they visit, have done their best 

 to destroy it ; and as the friendly birds are also 

 victims of the millinery craze, they are fast being 

 killed off. 



In Florida they are particularly fond of the 

 orange groves, but in Bermuda they may be found 

 almost anywhere. Near the shore one day I 

 stopped under a small red cedar, when to my 

 astonishment one of the Doves came tumbling 

 down almost upon my head. When it fluttered 

 off trailing, I looked up in the cedar and w^as 

 delighted to discover a nest among the branches. 

 The birds are noted for their devotion to their 

 young, and this was only another touching in- 

 stance of the way they will endanger their own 

 lives to save those of theiT little ones. 



In feeding their nestlings, these as well as other 

 Doves regurgitate the food they have taken into 

 their crops, and when it is mixed with the milky 

 fluid which softens it give it to the tender young 

 in a form that makes appropriate the fabled name 

 of 'Pigeon's milk.' 



Ruffed Grouse : Bonasa vmhellus and races. 



Geographic Distribution. — Xorthern North America ; north 

 in the eastern states to British Provinces ; south to middle 

 states, and in the mountains to northern Georgia ; resident. 



Walk through the market and you will recog- 

 nize pathetic strings of game hanging by their 



