266 KUFFED GROUSE. 



sheltered declivities of mountains, near streams of water. This great 

 difference of disposition in two species, whose food seems to be nearly 

 the same, is very e.xtraordinary. In those open plains called the Barrensi 

 of Kentucky, the Pinnated Grouse was seen in great numbers, but none 

 of the Ruifed ; while in the high groves with which that singular tract 

 of country is interspersed, the latter, or Pheasant, was frequently met 

 with ; but not a single individual of the former. 



The native haunts of the Pheasant being a cold, high, mountainous 

 and woody country, it is natural to expect that as we descend thence to 

 the sea shores, and the low, flat and warm climate of the Southern States, 

 these birds should become more rare, and such indeed is the case. In 

 the lower parts of Carolina, Georgia and Florida, they are very seldom 

 observed ; but as we advance inland to the mountains, they again make 

 their appearance. In the lower parts of New Jersey we indeed occa- 

 sionally meet with them; but this is owing to the more northerly situa- 

 tion of the country ; for even here they are far less numerous than 

 among the mountains. 



Dr. Turton, and several other English writers, have spoken of a Long- 

 tailed Grouse, said to inhabit the back parts of Virginia, which can be no 

 other than the present species, there being, as far as I am acquainted, 

 only these two, the Ruffed and Pinnated Grouse, found native within the 

 United States. 



The manners of the Pheasant are solitary ; they are seldom found in 

 coveys of more than four or five together, and more usually in pairs or 

 singly. They leave their sequestered haunts in the woods early in the 

 morning, and seek the path or road, to pick up gravel, and glean among 

 the droppings of the horses. In travelling among the mountains that 

 bound the Susquehanna, I was always able to furnish myself with an 

 abundant supply of these birds, every morning, without leaving the path. 

 If the weather be foggy, or lowering, they are sure to be seen in such 

 situations. They generally move along with great stateliness, their 

 broad fan-like tail spread out in the manner exhibited in the drawing. 

 The drumming, as it is usually called, of the Pheasant, is another sin- 

 gularity of this species. This is performed by the male alone. In 

 walking through solitary woods frequented by these birds, a stranger is 

 surprised by suddenly hearing a kind of thumping, very similar to that 

 produced by striking two full-blown ox-bladders together, but much 

 louder ; the strokes at first are slow and distinct ; but gradually increase 

 in rapidity till they run into each other, resembling the rumbling sound 

 of very distant thunder, dying away gradually on the ear. After a few 

 minutes' pause, this is again repeated ; and in a calm day may be heard 

 nearly a half mile off. This drumming is most common in spring, and 

 is the call of the cock to his favorite female. It is produced in the fol- 

 lowing manner. The bird, standing on an old prostrate log, generally 



