146 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING. 



"looted" and fought as if in their wild ntate. Many eggs 

 were deposited, and a numher of young birds were hatched 

 out; but they proved so destructive to the vegetables that 

 the experiment was given up and the Grouse were killed. 

 The male birds were conspicuous for their courage, and 

 would engage in contest with the Turkey-Cocks, and even 

 with the Dung-Hill Cock, rather than yield the ground. 

 In severe weather these birds have been known to roost in 

 trees, but they generally prefer to rest on the ground. Ad- 

 vantage is sometimes taken to secure them b^^ visiting their 

 resting-places in the night with nets. On the ground they 

 walk somewhat in the manner of the common Hen, but in 

 a more erect attitude. When surprised, they rise with a 

 whirring sound; but if they perceive the approach of anj^ 

 one at a sufficient distance, they run off with considerable 

 speed, and hide by squatting in the grass or among bushes. 

 They are fond of dusting themselves in ploughed fields or 

 in dusty roads, rearranging their feathers in the manner of 

 the Wild Turkey. When the female, with her j^oung brood, 

 is surprised, she instantly ruffles up her feathers, and acts 

 as if she contemplated flying in your face ; this she rarelj", 

 if ever, attemps, but resorts to various artifices to decoy 

 the intruder away." Their flight is said to be strong, regu- 

 lar, and swift, and may be protracted to the distance of 

 several miles. It is less rapid than that of the umbellus, 

 and the whirring, as they rise from the ground, less con- 

 spicuous. As they rise, the}' utter four or five very distinct 

 clucks, but at times fly in silence. Their flesh is dark, and 

 the flavor is very distinctly gamy, and is generally re- 

 garded as excellent. In the love-season the males inflate 

 the two remarkable air bladders, which, in color and shape, 

 resemble small oranges, lower their heads to the ground, 

 open their bills, and give utterance to very singular and 

 distinctly separated notes, by means of the air contained 

 in those receptacles, rolling somewhat in the manner of the 

 beatings of a muffled drum. The air-reservoirs are alter- 

 nately filled and emptied as they make these sounds. Their 

 notes may be heard to the distance of nearly a mile. 



