168 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting. 



Gulf of Geoi'i^ia, and everywhere on Vaiu-ouver Island to 

 its extreme northern end, and on the mainland as far north 

 as latitude 53°. The habits of this Grouse are described 

 as singularly erratic and its food as varied as its character. 

 In the spring their favorite haunt is in the vicinity of stag- 

 nant pools, or in the brush around a marsh in which the 

 wild swamp-crab, the black birch, and the alder grow. In 

 such places the}- mate, and during the breeding-season are 

 said to be very constant and devoted. During the time of 

 pairing, and at intervals after their young ai*e hatched, 

 the male produces the sound known as drumming. The 

 bird is said to squat on a log or a fallen tree, motionless as 

 though it had no life. Suddenly all the feathers appear as 

 if reversed, the tail is erected, the ruflf round its neck stands 

 out stiff and rigid, and the wings droop as if broken. These 

 slowly vibrate, and then produce a sound loud and clear, 

 like the thrum of a double-bass string. Then the winirs 

 move with increased rapidity, and the sound becomes a 

 continuous throblung hum. It then suddenly ceases, and 

 after a few minutes the same performance is repeated. 



Mr. Lord also states that he has seen the males of this 

 species fighting furiously during the ])airing season. Ruff- 

 ing up their necks, with their heads and backs almost in a 

 straight line, and with wings dropped, they circle round 

 and round each other, striking and pecking until the van- 

 quished gives in, and the victor mounts upon a log and 

 jiroceeds to drum furiously. Their nest is completed about 

 the end of May, and is always placed under a log on the 

 ground, or at the foot of a bush. It is composed of a quan- 

 tity of dead leaves, HikmI with dry grasses, bits of moss, 

 and a few feathers. 



Mr. Lord adds that he found at least ten nests of this 

 bird in one swamp near the vSpokane Prairies. From ten 

 to fourteen eggs was about the average number; they are 

 described as in color of a dirty white, and without any 

 spots or freckles of a darker shade. The chickens at once 

 leave the nest and follow their mother, who calls them 

 with a clucking sound, in the manner of a Hen. covens 



