388 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



also acorns. They usually roost upon the ground, but often 

 resort to trees, especially in cold weather, during which they 

 continue to reside in their summer-haunts. They fly less rap- 

 idly and with less whirr than the Ruffed Grouse, and walk 

 rather less gracefully. At the mating-season, the males become 

 very pompous and pugnacious. They meet in the morning at 

 an early 4iour, and engage in fierce combat. 



(d). It is at this time that they produce their peculiar boom- 

 ing, or "tooting," which is so loud that it may be heard at the 

 distance of several miles. Their ordinary note is the chucking 

 which belongs to other grouse. 



The " Prairie Hens " are still abundant in the West, whence 

 thousands are forwarded to Eastern markets. Their gradual 

 extermination is greatly to be regretted. 



III. BONASA 



(A) UMBELLUS. Ruffed Grouse. "Partridge" "Pheasant" 



(In many parts of New England, a common resident 

 throughout the year.) 



(a). About eighteen inches long. Above, reddish-brown, 

 with numerous gray edgings. Erectile crown-feathers, and in- 

 terscapulars, marked with black. Ruff-feathers on the sides 

 of the neck, dark brown or black, with two or three metallic 

 bars. Back, minutely speckled with black, and streaked with 

 light grayish spots, which are black-edged. Tail, gra}', with a 

 broad subterminai black band ; elsewhere paler, or reddish, 

 barred and finely vermiculated with black. Primaries marked 

 with whitish on the outer webs. Under parts, tawn}^ becoming 

 white behind. Throat, unmarked or slightly waved ; breast, 

 with dull brown bars, dark-edged above ; sides, with umber 

 bars. The tail usually has eighteen feathers, arid is rounded, 

 as in the " Prairie Hen," but is considerably longer. The 

 auriculars (or ear-feathers) are long and loose. 



(6). The eggs average 1-65 X 1 '25 of an inch, vary from 

 drab-buff to rich reddish buff, and are sometimes spotted. 

 From eight to fifteen are laid together in the latter part of 

 May. The nest consists of a few leaves and grasses placed 



