GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



91 



haunts of men, and almost as far from food and wa- 

 ter, but endowed with powers for extensive locomo- 

 tion, they traverse in a day leagues of the waste. 



A few species are polygamous like the former fa- 

 mily, the males at dawn seeking some eminence, and 

 attracting the females by their continued calls, strut- 

 ting around and displaying their plumage ; but by 

 far the greater number are monogamous, and regu- 

 larly pair. The male remains near his consort du- 

 ring incubation, and both sedulously attend upon 

 and defend the young, which keep together in coveys 

 until the warmth of the following spring excites new 

 desires, and causes their separation. All breed up- 

 on the ground, making scarcely any nest, and, with a 

 few exceptions, they lay a number of eggs. In one 

 or two instances, two broods are hatched in the sea- 

 son, but this is rare, and only continues where the 

 regions inhabited are very warm. The cry of most 

 of these birds is harsh, in a few deep and hoarse ; it 

 is uttered only in the breeding season, in cases of 

 dispersion, and at morn and even like a roll-call to 

 see that none are wanting. The plumage is subject 

 to considerable variation between the males and fe- 

 males during the breeding season, and in those which 

 inhabit northern regions or alpine districts, a change 

 of plumage in winter, different from that of spring 

 or summer, takes place. 



Among the true grouse, such as the wood-grouse, 

 black-cock, and beautiful birds of America, the males 

 are distinguished by a plumage of deep glossy blue k 



