Xvi INTRODUCTION. 
key is far from being a stupid bird, and even man, with 
his wisdom and variety of methods, has often need of 
all his wits to circumvent these wide-awake feathered 
creatures. 
Gallinaceous birds are terrestrial, but none of them 
will hesitate to fly into a tree and walk or roost on the 
branches, and they frequently seek the cover of the foliage 
when pursued, for protection and concealment. They 
are apparently perfectly at home upon a branch, fence, 
or similar support, their rather long toes grasping 
firmly the perch on which they have taken their 
position. 
Grouse and Turkeys are generally polygamous, but 
the Odontophorine, or Partridges, are monogamous. 
The females of those addicted to the former practice are 
usually in the habit of concealing their nests not only 
from their natural enemies, but also from the males, 
some of which would destroy both eggs and young if 
they found the opportunity. In the other class the male 
is assiduous in his attentions to his mate when engaged 
in the duties of incubation, not infrequently relieving her 
by covering the eggs himself, and always shares in car- 
ing for and feeding the young. It is a rather singular 
fact that in most polygamous species the plumage of the 
sexes is very dissimilar, while there is usually but little 
difference observable between those that are monoga- 
mous. As arule the birds contained in this volume moult 
oncea year in the spring before the commencement of the 
breeding season, but the Ptarmigan are an exception, 
and are in a continuous state of moult at all seasons, 
except, possibly, for a very brief period after they have 
assumed the breeding dress, and again in winter when 
robed in white. All Ptarmigan turn white in winter, 
excepting the Scotch Grouse, so called, which, possibly 
