RUFFED GROUSE ; PHEASANT ; PARTRIDGE. 75 



be found in companies of five or six. They are hardy- 

 birds, and can defy the snows of winter. In fine weather, 

 or when the weather is cold, or when there is snow, they 

 roost in the woods usually, upon the ground, each one by 

 himself, and usually roost upon the same spot for several, 

 nights in succession ; but when the weather is wet, they 

 often roost upon the limbs of trees, sometimes three or 

 four in company. The males predominate in numbers 

 probably in consequence of the females so often falling a 

 prey to vermin when sitting. It is a common belief 

 among sportsmen, that the males greatly exceed the 

 females in numbers, but on this point there is room for 

 doubt, as it has been determined that the plumage of the 

 present season's birds, male and female, is the same ; the 

 ruff is smaller in size, but of the same colour and as dark 

 as in the old male. Early in the season they may often 

 be found in the mornings and evenings upon the outskirts 

 of wooded lands, or upon the edges of dry alder swamps, 

 where they run about and feed much like quail ; but as 

 severe winter weather approaches, the woods and their 

 outskirts will be their constant resort. Towards the 

 middle of the day they are almost constantly in the 

 woods, or upon the outskirts of wooded patches sur- 

 rounded by fallen trees and brush-heaps. They live on a 



