390 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



called " Wood Grouse," and not " Partridges," for they are 

 grouse, though they differ strikingly from the English birds 

 of that name, as well as from our own " Pinnated Grouse," 

 in frequenting the woods, in the whiteness of their meat, in 

 their want of sociability, and finally in their markings. The 

 three birds differ but little in size. 



The Ruffed Grouse have in common with their English rela- 

 tives an indifference to danger early in the season, and, a 

 little later, cunning and wariness, combined with swiftness on 

 the wing. They resemble in habits tlie British Pheasants, 

 whence the name given to them in the South and parts of the 

 Middle States ; and, since the English partridges scarcely re- 

 semble at all their iiame-sakes in New England, it must be con- 

 fessed that the "Southerners" have come nearer the mark, in 

 calling the present species a pheasant. 



The Ruffed Grouse, or "Partridges," are very hardy, and, 

 though not migratoiy, may be found from Newfoundland and 

 the western British possessions to Georgia and New Mexico 

 on the South and West. We shall here describe their habits 

 in New England. 



In the spring and earl^' summer may be heard that remark- 

 able sound called "drumming." Whoever is fortunate enough 

 to approach closely an old cock in the act of drumming, will 

 be well rewarded for the trouble that he may have taken in so 

 doing. Generally on a log or broad stump, or in a cleared spot, 

 the bird will be seen, puffed like a turkey to twice his natural 

 size, with his crest erect, his ruffs extended (as in the cut, 

 fig. 20), and his tail spread, strutting about, lowering or twist- 

 ing his neck and head, and then suddenl}' beating violently with 

 his wings his inflated bodj'. This causes a sound, which on a 

 favorable day may be heard for a mile or two, and which is 

 often repeated at intervals for some time. One can appreciate 

 the muscular vitality of the wings and the rapidity of their 

 motion, by endeavoring to imitate the sound on a cushion (or 

 other surface) with the hand. It will be found impossible to 

 equal or even to approach the rapiditj-^ of the repeated strokes. 



The eggs, deposited from day to day, are generally laid be- 



