RUFFED GROUSE. 33 



as with other species of the genus, no lasting individual attach- 

 ment is formed, and they live in a state of limited concubi- 

 nage. The drumming parade of the male is likewise often the 

 signal for a quarrel ; and when they happen to meet each 

 other in the vicinity of their usual and stated walks, obstinate 

 battles, like those of our domestic fowls for the sovereignty of 

 the dung-hill, but too commonly succeed. When this sound, 

 indeed (according to Audubon), is imitated by striking care- 

 fully upon an inflated bladder with a stick, the jealous male, 

 full of anger, rushes forth from his concealment and falls an 

 easy prey to the wily sportsman. 



Some time in May a female selects some thicket or the 

 side of a fallen log in the dense part of the woods for the situ- 

 ation of her nest. This is formed merely of a handful of with- 

 ered leaves collected from the surrounding and similar surface 

 of the ground. The eggs, ten to fifteen, more or less, are of a 

 uniform dull yellowish color. The young run about as soon as 

 hatched, and in about a week or ten days are able in some 

 degree to make use of their wings. The mother now leads 

 them out in search of their appropriate and delicate food, and 

 broods them at night beneath her wings like the common 

 hen ; she likewise defends them by every stratagem which 

 affection can contrive. On the appearance of an enemy she 

 simulates lameness, to impose on the unwelcome spectator ; 

 while the young themselves squat on the ground, by which they 

 are secured, from their similarity to its surface. 



During summer these birds are fond of basking and dusting 

 themselves, and for this purpose are now and then seen in the 

 public roads. When flushed, and on the instant of rising from 

 the ground, the bird usually utters a cackling note quickly 

 repeated about half a dozen times, and also before rising utters 

 a very peculiar lisping whistle. Like the Ptarmigan, the Ruffed 

 Grouse when alarmed in winter is frequently known to plunge 

 into the soft snow and burrow out at such a distance as fre- 

 quently to elude the pursuit of the hunter. Besides other 

 successful methods of destruction which await the devoted 

 Grouse, snares and traps of various kinds are employed to 



voi .II. — 3 



