NORTHERN OCEAN. 
ticularly fo when they fpread their long ‘tail, 
which gives them a noble appearance. In fize 
they exceed a partridge, but are inferior toa 
pheafant. In Winter they are ufvally found 
perched on the branches of tlie pine-trees ; and 
in that feafon are fo tame as-to be eafily approach- 
ed, and of courfe readily fhot. 
They always make their nefis on the ground, 
generally at the root of a tree, and lay to the 
number of twelve or fourteen eggs. In fome of 
the Southern parts of America feveral attempts 
have been made to tame thofe beautiful birds, by 
taking their eggs and hatching them under do- 
meftic hens, but it was never crowned with fuc- 
eefs ; for when but a few days oid, they always 
make their efcape into the woods, where they 
probably pick up a fubfiftence. ‘Their fleth is 
delicately white and firm, and though they are 
feldom fat, they are always good eating, and are 
generally efteemed beft when larded and roafied, 
or nicely boiled with a bit of bacon. 
There is fomething very remarkable in thofe 
birds, and I believe peculiar to themfelves, which 
is that of clapping their wings with {uch a force, 
that at half a mile diftance it refembles thunder. 
Thave frequently heard them make that noite 
near Cumberland Houfe in the month of May, 
‘but it was always before Sun-rife, and a little 
after Sun-fet. It is faid by Mr. Barton and Le 
‘Hontan, that they never clap in this manner but 
‘in the Spring and Pall, and I muft acknowledge 
that 
409 
