PLOVERS. 6 1 



Grouse, or Partridge. The first of these inhabits 

 evergreen tracts and swamps, while the other fre- 

 quents diy hardwoods and uplands. Both are 

 quite common, particularly in less cultivated 

 districts, where they feed on berries of heath 

 plants and brambles in summer and on the seeds 

 and buds of birches in winter. 



The Ruffed Grouse has a conspicuous ruffle 

 of dark feathers on each side of its neck. Dur- 

 ing the breeding season, in May and June, it 

 has the habit of making a peculiar drumming 

 noise, by beating the air with its wings. This 

 muffled drumming of the Partridge, on dull, quiet 

 spring days, is one of the most peculiar and 

 weird undertones of wood - land scenes. Part- 

 ridges nest on the ground, in a retired spruce 

 thicket, laying about a dozen eggs. 



m^ux §1x^5. 



PLOVERS. 



Leaving the Land Birds, we now turn to the 

 great section of the feathered families consisting 

 of birds which are seldom found except by the 



