THE OREGON GROUSE. 169 



them when restini^, and uses all kinds of feints and strata- 

 gems to lure an intruder from her young, fluttering along 

 close to his feet as if her wings were entirely disabled, 

 and then, when her chickens have had time to conceal 

 themselves, suddenly darting off. When frightened, this 

 Grouse rises with a loud rattling sound; but its natural 

 upward movement is noiseless. 



After the chickens are old enough, the flock removes 

 to open hill-sides where grass-seed, berries, and insects are 

 in abundance. This Grouse never packs, but remains in 

 broods. In the fall, before they begin to feed on the spruce 

 buds, their flesh is said to be delicious; but after the snow 

 shuts them off from other food they feed on the fir buds, 

 and then their flesh acquires a strong flavor of turpentine. 



In the tree this Grouse is not an easy bird to discover ; 

 so closely does its plumage resemble the lichen-covered 

 bark that it is difficult to distinguish them, especially as, 

 when alarmed, they crouch down lengthwise with the 

 iinib, and thus become concealed. — Baird, Brewer and 

 ll'tdgway. 



