THE CANADA GROUSE. 55 



out of sight, as much as to say 'you have two, and that is all you can have.' I 

 must confess that it was with great reluctance I took these eggs from her, she 

 pleaded so hard for them. 



"Anyone who has seen eggs of the Canada Grouse only after they have 

 lain in the nest until the whole set is complete, can have no idea of the beauty 

 of a fresh-laid egg. I have now in my collection about eighty of these eggs, 

 all perfect specimens. 



"The male bird begins to strut in March. I remember very well the first 

 time I saw one .strutting. I had obtained the bird in tlie fall, and he used to sit 

 about, bunched up almost in a round ball, as the female did, until one morning, 

 wlien I went to feed them I found liim strutting. His attitude was so different 

 that one would scarcely have known it was the same bii-d. I went in the 

 house and told my wife to come and see him, remarking that whether the 

 female laid any eggs or not, I was well paid by this sight for all my trouble. 

 I was so interested in seeing him strut that I had the photographer bring hi.s 

 camera in and take some stereoscopic \news of him while strutting. 



"I will describe as nearly as I can his conduct and attitude wliile {Strutting: 

 The tail stands almost erect, the wings are slightly i-aised from tlie bodv and a 

 little drooped, the head is still well up, and the feathers of the breast and throat 

 are i-aised and standing out in regular rows, which press the feathers of the 

 nape and hind neck well back, forming a smooth kind of cape on tlie back 

 of the neck. This smooth cape contrasts beautifullv with the rufHed black 

 and white feathers of the throat and fore breast. The red comb over each 

 eye is enlarged until tlie two nearly meet over the top of the head. This 

 coml) the bird is able to enlai-ge or reduce at will, and while he is strutting 

 the expanded tail is moved from side to side. The two center feather.s do 

 not move, but eacli side expands and contracts alternately with each step 

 as the bird Avalks. Tliis mo\-ement of the tail produces a peculiar rustliu"-, 

 like that of silk. This attitude gives him a very dignified and even con- 

 ceited air. He tries to attract attention in everv possilile way, by flying from 

 the ground up on a perch, and back to tlie ground, making all the noise ho can 

 in doing so. Then he will thump some hard substance with his bill. Lhave 

 liad him fly up on my slioulder and thump my collar. At this season he is 

 ver}' bold, and will scarcely keep enough out of the way to avoid being ste})ped 

 on. He will sometimes sit with his breast almost touching the earth, his 

 feathers erect as in strutting, and making peculiar nodding and circular motions 

 of the head from side to side; he will remain in this position two or tlu'ce min- 

 utes at a time. He is a most beautiful l)ird, and shows )»v liis actions that he 

 is perfectly aware of the fact. 



"As the spring and summer advance the food given these Canada Grouse 

 must be changed with the season, and it is only with a perfect knowledge of 

 their wants and with constant care, that they can be safely carried through the 

 heat of the summer and the moulting season. In tlie nesting season the 

 females are very quarrelsome, and at tliis time mor(> thnn tA\(> or three cannot 



