174 . BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



Genus BONASA Stephens. 

 BONASA UMBELLUS (Linn.). 



129. Ruffed Grouse. (300) 



Sexes nearly alike; variegated reddish or grayish Ijrown; the back, with 

 numerous oblong, pale, l>lack-edged spots ; neck-tufts, glossy-black ; beloM% 

 whitish, barred with brown ; tail, with a broad subterminal black zone, and 

 tipped with gray. Length, 16-18; wing, 7-8. 



Hab. — Eastern United States, soutli to North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi 

 and Arkansas. 



Nest, in a hollow in the ground, lined with grass or leaves, often placed by 

 the side of a log or stump. 



Eggs, eight to twelve, cream color, sometimes minutely spotted with choco- 

 late-brown. 



Notwithstanding the continual persecution to which the Ruffed 

 Grouse is exposed, it is still a common species throughout Ontario, 

 breeding in all suitable places from the shore of Lake Erie to the 

 northern boundary of the Province, and even in Alaska. 



It is a robust, hardy bix'd, w^ell able to stand the rigors of our 

 climate, and being exceedingly strong and active on the wing, gets 

 away oftener fi*om the sportsman than any other species he pursues. 

 Occasionally, when the birds are found feeding among bushes of 

 stunted growth, with a good dog a fair bag may be made, but follow- 

 ing them through the tangled masses of foliage and fallen trees, 

 where they are usually found, is attended with great fatigue, and, 

 usually, very slim results. The birds get up with wonderful sudden- 

 ness, and disappear as if by magic. They seem always to rise at 

 the wrong time, from the wrong place, and to go off in the wrong 

 direction to suit the sportsman. 



Much has been written regarding the mode in which this bird 

 produces the peculiar drumming sound so familiar to all who have 

 had occasion to visit its haunts, but it is now generally believed to 

 be caused by the rapid vibratory motion of the wings beating the air; 

 a similar sound being produced in a similar way by the Humming- 

 bird, and also by the Nighthawk. The Grouse, in the spring time, 

 produces this music as a call to his lady fair, who, no doubt, delights 

 to hear it, and I'esponds accordingly. It is also heard, occasionally, 

 late in the season, when he is possibly working off the exuberance of 

 his spirits after some happy experience in his sylvan life. 



At different points throughout its extensive habitat, this species 

 is subject to considerable variation in plumage, and on this account 



