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ing behind the eye ; bill horn color, lighter below ; eye reddish 

 hazel ; throat and fore neck light brownish-yellow. Female with 

 the plumage duller — the crest and tufts on the sides of the neck less. 

 Length eighteen inches, wing seven and a quarter. 



This species of Grouse is well known in the State of New York 

 by the name of Partridge ; in the Western States it has received 

 the appellation of Pheasant. It is said to be very plentiful on the 

 plains of the Saskatchewan, and is found in almost every part of the 

 United States ; though in the Southern States it is not so common ; 

 according to the observations made by Mr. Audubon, it does not 

 inhabit Louisiana. 



On Long Island it is quite plentiful, inhabiting generally the 

 middle portion of the Island, particularly the chain of hills known 

 as the " Spine," which, from its formation, is best adapted to its 

 habits. It prefers a mountainous region, covered with wood, and 

 watered with running streams. I have procured a number in 

 Duchess county, on the rough lands adjacent to the Hudson River ; 

 in Orange county, west of NeAvburgh, they are abundant, and are 

 also found in large numbers in the mountainous country that bor- 

 ders the valley of the Delaware. In several of the Western States I 

 have met with it, but no where in such abundance as in the State of 

 Indiana, a short distance from the Wabash river, in the district of 

 country lying between Vincennes and Terra-haute. 



Early in the month of April, the Ruffed Grouse begin to pair ; 

 at this season, the male, mounted on a log or stump, commences his 

 loud drumming. This drumming sound- — so familiar to all persons 

 residing in those districts inhabited by the Ruffed Grouse — -is pro- 

 duced by short strokes of the wings, commencing slowly, and grad- 

 ually running into a quick and rapid beating, producing a sound 

 not unlike the rapid rolling of a distant drum. This manoeuvre is 

 generally practiced shortly after dawn, and again at the close of 

 day. Early in May it commences building its nest, which is placed 

 on the ground and formed of dry leaves and grass ; the eggs are 

 plain pale brown, the number contained in the nests which I have 

 found, were from seven to ten and it is said a larger number are 

 sometimes found. By the twenty-fifth of October it is considered 

 in good order for shooting, and affords fine amusement for sportsmen. 



