ioe) 
LS) 
GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
were abroad and searching for just such a toothsome 
morsel as a fat Grouse, and I pictured to myself his 
appearance, as, holding an evening reception, he dis- 
played himself to the admiring gaze cf his hens, as in 
all the pride of conscious power and possession he 
strutted about in the moonlight upon his favorite log. 
Well for him that his rolling call did not bring some 
prowling Owl gliding on swift and noiseless wing, or 
stealthy, keen-scented fox to sweep him out of the scene 
and life together. The males fight like gamecocks, with 
lowered head and outstretched necks, the feathers 
ruffled and standing out in all directions. I doubt if 
these battles ever terminate fatally to either combatant, 
the weaker giving way to his conqueror and taking 
refuge in flight, recuperating his energies and both his 
wounded body and spirit in the quiet retirement of the 
deeper woods. 
Sabine’s Grouse is never found in large flocks, but. 
each family keeps by itself, and they feed upon all kinds 
of seeds, insects, berries, nuts, leaves, and buds, and the 
flesh is white and palatable save in the winter, when it 
is often bitter, occasionally flavored with turpentine from 
eating the buds of the fir tree. Nidification takes place 
from April to June, the time somewhat depending on the 
locality, and the eggs range from six to ten, perhaps 
occasionally exceeding the latter number. They re- 
semble those of other Ruffed Grouse and vary in a simi- 
lar manner, and the nest is the usual cavity in the 
ground, lined with almost anything lying about, such as 
dead leaves and grass, or needles of the spruce or pine. 
It is a large bird, and possesses all the game qualities 
of its race, but from the localities it frequents can be 
rarely hunted with well-broken dogs satisfactorily. 
