RUFFED GROUSE; PARTRIDGE 107 



brown marks. The tail-feathers had each a broad black 

 bar, except the middle one, which was more mixed or 

 grayish there. The bands of the females are said to be 

 more brown, as is their collar. There were a few drop- 

 pings of the bird close by the snare in two instances. 

 Were they dropped after it was caught ? Or did they 

 determine the locality of the snare? 



These birds appear to run most along the sides of 

 wooded banks around swamps. At least these paths 

 and snares occur there oftenest. I often scare them up 

 from amid or near hemlocks in the woods. 



The general color of the bird is that of the ground 

 and dry leaves on it at present. The bird hanging in 

 the snare was very inconspicuous. I had gone close by 

 it once without noticing it. Its wings are short and 

 stout and look as if they were a little worn by striking 

 the ground or bushes, or perhaps in drumming. I ob- 

 served a bare bright-red or scarlet spot over each eye. 



Ajyi'il 12, 1858. Returning on the railroad, the noon 

 train down passed us opposite the old maid Hosmer's 

 house. In the woods just this side, we came upon a 

 partridge standing on the track, between the rails over 

 which the cars had just passed. She had evidently been 

 run down, but, though a few small feathers were scat- 

 tered along for a dozen rods beyond her, and she looked 

 a little ruffled, she was apparently more disturbed in 

 mind than body. I took her up and carried her one 

 side to a safer place. At first she made no resistance, 

 but at length fluttered out of my hands and ran two or 

 three feet. I had to take her up again and carry and 

 drive her further off, and left her standing with head 



