452 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



the ground is covered by a fall of light snow, these birds dive into it and 

 conceal themselves, sometimes burrowing through it to the depth of several 

 feet. When pursued, they frequently escape in this manner. Many are 

 taken under the snow ; others are snared by nooses, or by means of figure 

 of four traps. 



This Grouse is more or less polygamous, and both sexes are somewhat 

 promiscuous in their intercourse. The males only remain with the females 

 until incubation has commenced, and then keep by themselves, unless re- 

 called by the females when their eggs have been taken or destroyed. The 

 males occasionally indulge in severe contests for the possession of the 

 female, but not to the same extent as with the Pinnated Grouse. 



The female places her nest in some retired spot, usually on the edge of 

 the woods, or near an opening in it, always on the ground, and often under 

 the shelter of a projecting rock or a fallen log. The nest is very rude and 

 simple, consisting of only a few leaves laid in a depression and not woven 

 together. The eggs are from seven to twelve in number, and are generally 

 of a uniform yellowish-brown color, and are very rarely mottled or spotted. 

 During incubation the Partridge sits very closely, and permits a near 

 approach before she will leave her charge. The young Partridges leave the 

 nest as soon as they are hatched, following their mother, who calls to them 

 with a clucking sound not unlike that of the common domestic Hen. The 

 mother is very devoted, courageous, and wily in defending them. Coming 

 suddenly upon a young brood of Partridges squatted with their mother near 

 the roadside in a woods, my first knowledge of their presence was received 

 from the old bird flying directly at my face, and then tumbling about at my 

 feet with frantic manifestations of distress and imitated lameness. In the 

 mean while the little ones scattered in every direction, and were not to be 

 found. As soon as she was satisfied of their safety, the parent flew to a 

 short distance, and I soon heard her clucking call to them to come to her 

 again. Altogether, it was one of the most striking scenes of parental devo- 

 tion and well-managed intervention I ever witnessed. When I came upon 

 the mother, she had squatted upon the ground, and the young had taken 

 refuge under her wings. 



The males keep apart from the females and the young until the approach 

 of winter, when they reassemble in their search for food. In severe seasons, 

 when tlie snow lies very deep, especially in Pennsylvania, they are said to 

 feed on the buds of tlie Mountain Laurel, or some other poisonous shrub 

 which imparts a poisonous character to their flesh. In ]\Iaine they have 

 been accused of resorting to apple-orchards and destroying the fruit-buds, 

 thus occasionally causing a serious injury to the prospective harvest. We 

 apprehend there is some foundation for these charges. 



Mr. William Street, of Easthampton, who resides on Mount Tom, writes 

 me that he has found this Grouse very numerous in that vicinity. Having 

 lived in a secluded place ten years, and having met with these birds con- 



