190 THE BIRDS ABOUT Us. 



" Its favorite places of resort are high mountains covered with ihe 

 balsam pine, hemlock, and such like evergreens. Unlike the Pin- 

 nated Grouse, it always prefers the woods ; is seldom or never found 

 in open plains ; but loves the pine-sheltered declivities of mountains 

 near streams of water. This great difference of disposition in two 

 species, whose food seems to be nearly the same, is very extraor- 

 dinary. In those open plains called the Barrens of Kentucky the 

 Pinnated Grouse was seen in great numbers, but none of the Ruffed ; 

 while in the high groves with which that singular tract of country is 

 interspersed the latter, or Pheasant, was frequently met with, but not a 

 single individual of the former. 



" The native haunts of the Pheasant being a cold, high, mountain- 

 ous, and woody country, it is natural to expect that as we descend 

 thence to the sea-shores, and the low, flat, and warm climate of the 

 Southern States, these birds should become more rare, and such in- 

 deed is the case. In the lower parts of Carolina, Georgia, and 

 Florida they are very seldom observed, but as we advance inland to 

 the mountains they again make their appearance. In the lower parts 

 of New Jersey we indeed occasionally meet with them, but this is 

 owing to the more northerly situation of the country, for even here 

 they are far less numerous than among the mountains. . . . 



" The manners of the Pheasant are solitary ; they are seldom found 

 in coveys of more than four or five together, and more usually in 

 pairs or singly. They leave their sequestered haunts in the woods 

 early in the morning, and seek the path or road to pick up gravel 

 and glean among the droppings of the horses. In travelling among 

 the mountains that bound the Susquehanna, I was always able to 

 furnish myself with an abundant supply of these birds every morn- 

 ing without leaving the path. If the weather be foggy or lowering, 

 they are sure to be seen in such situations. They generally move 

 along with great stateliness, their broad fan-like tail spread out. . . ." 



The ruffed grouse in what may be called " ancient 

 history" is more interesting than the present hum- 

 drum life it is forced to lead. In the woods and 

 swamps of Central New Jersey these birds used to 

 congregate in winter by the thousands. As they 

 were rare in summer, it was supposed (and rightly) 



