ONTARIO. 



whitish barred with brown ; tail with a broad subterininal black zone, and 

 tipped with gray. Length, 16-18 ; wing, 7-8. 



Hab. Eastern United States, south to North Carolina, Georgia, Miss- 

 issippi, and Arkansas. 



Nest in a hollow in the ground, lined with grass or leaves ; often placed 

 by the side of a log or stump. 



i 



Eggs, 8 to 12 ; cream-color, sometimes minutely spotted with chocolate- 

 brown.. 



Notwithstanding the continual persecution to which the 

 Ruffed Grouse is exposed, it is still a common species 

 throughout Ontario, breeding in all suitable places from the 

 shore of Lake Erie to the northern boundar}' of the Province, 

 and even in Alaska. 



It is a robust, hardy bird, well able to stand the rigors of 

 our climate, and being exceedingly strong and active on the 

 wing, gets oftener away from the sportsman than any other 

 species he pursues. Occasionally when the birds are found 

 feeding among bushes of stunted growth, with a good dog a 

 fair bag may be made, but to follow them through the tangled 

 masses of foliage and fallen trees where they are usually found 

 is attended with great fatigue, and usually very slim results. 

 The birdsget up with wonderful suddenness, and disappear as if 

 by magic ; besides which they seem always to rise at the wrong 

 time, from the wrong place, and to go off in the wrong direction 

 to suit the sportsman. 



Much has been written regarding the mode in which this 

 bird produces the peculiar drumming sound so familiar to all 

 who have had occasion to visit its haunts, but it is now gener- 

 ally believed to be caused by the rapid vibratory motion of the 

 wings beating the air, a similar sound being produced in a 

 similar way by the Hummingbird, and also by the Night- 

 hawk. The Grouse in the spring-time produces this music as 

 a call to his lady fair, who, no doubt, delights to hear it, and 

 responds accordingly. It is also heard occasionally late in the 

 season, when he is possibly working off the exuberance of his 

 spirits after some happy experience in his sylvan life. 



125 



