SETTLING THEIR DIFFERENCES. 4] 
whether it is to intimidate the cocks and keep 
them off, or whether it. is to proclaim his near 
proximity to the hen, or whether it is a sexual 
performance to demonstrate his love and devo- 
tion, are matters that the bird alone can answer. 
If he knew how constantly the sound betrayed 
him to the crafty savage, I rather think he would 
adopt a more silent system. Guided by the 
drumming, the redskin creeps like a weasel 
through grass and bush upon the unsuspecting 
bird, and, sending an arrow whistling through its 
ribs, or half a dozen buck-shot from an old trade- 
gun, thus stops his fun, and ‘turns his thoughts 
‘from mirth to gravity.’ . 
I have often seen cocks fight furiously during 
the pairing season, and their manner of adjusting 
their little differences is much after the fashion 
of our gamecocks. That old maxim, ‘ None but 
the brave deserve the fair,’ is evidently a great 
grouse principle. Ruffing up their necks, head 
and back almost in a straight line, tail up, legs 
stiff, and wings dropped, they circle round and 
round each other, striking and pecking until the 
vanquished hides anything but his diminished 
head, and the victor bolts upon a log and drums 
furiously. 
The nest is complete about the end of May. It 
