21/2 



THE GAME BIRDS AND RAILS 



him, and I presume he did his very best. His large, pale yellow air sacs were fully 

 inflated, and not only expanded forward but apparently upward as well, rising at 

 least an inch above his head, which, consequently, was scarcely noticeable, giving 

 the bird an exceedingly-peculiar appearance. He looked decidedly top heavy, and 

 ready to topple over at the slightest provocation. The few long, spiny feathers 

 along the edges of the air sacs stood straight out, and the grayish white of the upper 



RUFFED GROUSE. 



parts showed in strong contrast with the black of the breast. His tail was spread 

 out fan-like, at right angles from the body, and was moved from side to side with a 

 slow, quivering movement. The wings were trailing on the ground. While in 

 this position he moved around with short, stately, and hesitating steps, slowly and 

 gingerly, evidently highly satisfied with his performance, uttering, at the same 

 time, low, grunting, guttural sounds, somewhat similar to the purring of a cat 

 when pleased, only louder." 



