Ruffed Grouse. 231 



birds are to be seen to the best advantage, and in the greatest 

 numbers. West of the Mississippi, if we exclude Eastern 

 Kansas, Southern Iowa and the whole of Missouri, they 

 occur, if at all, in comparatively small and isolated parties. 



In regions which these Grouse inhabit, they are perma- 

 nent residents, and are never known to move southward with 

 the retreat of warm weather. They are capable of adapting 

 themselves to climatic variations with ease, but not so readily 

 to surface irregularities and their natural concomitants. 

 Dense woods, craggy mountain-sides and the borders of 

 streams are noted places of resort. Lowlands, especially 

 such as are invested with thick growths of small bushes 

 and tall, rank grasses, are not infrequently chosen. When 

 in search of food and gravel, they are known to quit their 

 favorite haunts and betake themselves to the open road, 

 where groups may be seen absorbed in feeding, but not to 

 that extent, however, when the rustle of a moving leaf or the 

 crackling of a twig would pass unnoticed. The slightest 

 noise causes a temporary suspension of labor and a moment 

 ary shudder of surprise. All of a sudden, and in the most 

 perfect harmony, all heads are raised and pointing in the 

 direction whence the noise emanated. The keen vision of 

 these birds is not slow in discerning, through the gloomy 

 recesses, the presence of danger ; but should nothing of an 

 alarming nature manifest itself, a short parley ensues and 

 business is resumed, though not with the same earnestness 

 and lack of care, however, as before. Greater caution is now 

 observable, and every effort taken to prevent an ambuscade. 

 But let the cause of the alarm, a dog or a man, be close at 

 hand, and the birds immediately strike for the cover, either 

 on foot or by means of flight, the latter method only being 

 adopted in extreme cases, when the other course would be 

 attended by disaster and probable ruin. In the exercise of 

 their cursorial powers, they move with remarkable swiftness, 

 as with head depressed and tail expanded they run for their 

 lives. A pile of brushwood or an impenetrable jungle, when 



