390 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
called ‘‘ Wood Grouse,” and not ‘* Partridges,” for they are 
grouse, though they differ strikingly from the English birds 
of that name, as well as from our own ‘* Pinnated Grouse,” 
in frequenting the woods, in the whiteness of their meat, in 
their want of sociability, and finally in their markings. The 
three birds differ but little in size. 
The Ruffed Grouse have in common with their English rela- 
tives an indifference to danger early in the season, and, a 
little later, cunning and wariness, combined with swiftness on 
the wing. They resemble in habits the British Pheasants, 
whence the name given to them in the South and parts of the 
Middle States; and, since the English partridges scarcely re- 
semble at all their name-sakes in New England, it must be con- 
fessed that the ‘‘Southerners” have come nearer the mark, in 
calling the present species a pheasant. 
The Ruffed Grouse, or ‘‘ Partridges,” are very hardy, and, 
though not migratory, may be found from Newfoundland and 
the western British possessions to Georgia and New Mexico 
on the South and West. We shall here describe their habits 
in New England. 
In the spring and early summer may be heard that remark- 
able sound called “drumming.” Whoever is fortunate enough 
to approach closely an old cock in the act of drumming, will 
be well rewarded for the trouble that he may have taken in so 
doing. Generally on a log or broad stump, or in a cleared spot, 
the bird will be seen, puffed like a turkey to twice his natural 
size, with his crest erect, his ruffs extended (as in the cut, 
fig. 20), and his tail spread, strutting about, lowering or twist- 
ing his neck and head, and then suddenly beating violently with 
his wings his inflated body. This causes a sound, which on a 
favorable day may be heard for a mile or two, and which is 
often repeated at intervals for some time. One can appreciate 
the muscular vitality of the wings and the rapidity of their 
motion, by endeavoring to imitate the sound on a cushion (or 
other surface) with the hand. It will be found impossible to 
equal or even to approach the rapidity of the repeated strokes. 
The eggs, deposited from day to day, are generally laid be- 
