312 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



dense growth of small bushes and tall grasses, are not 

 unfrequently chosen. When in quest of food and gravel, 

 they often desert their favorite retreats for the open path or 

 road, where they may often be seen gleaning among horse- 

 droppings. When perched upon a tall pine-tree, which 

 they often choose for roosting purposes, they are so completely 

 concealed by the numerous branches and thick dark green 

 foliage, as to render them almost imperceptible to the trained 

 eye of the sportsman. They not unusually seek shelter in 

 a pile of brush, or in dense, almost impenetrable bushes ; 

 will often permit a very near approach, before taking to 

 flight, sometimes, allowing the hunter to pass and repass, 

 and only deigning to move from their place of concealment, 

 when in danger of being trampled underneath his foot ; 

 then all of a sudden, they start up with echoing wings, 

 which so completely startles their pursuer,' that he is some 

 time in collecting his thoughts ; but when he does, the ob- 

 jects of his pursuit are far removed from the scene of danger. 



The flight of this bird is low, straightforward, and seldom 

 protracted for any considerable distance. Its movements 

 are stiff, and produced by frequent flappings of the wings. 

 The whirring sound is generally made when flushed from 

 its nest, or when startled from its covert by a dog. Upon 

 the ground it progresses with remarkable stateliness ; but 

 when closely approached, runs with considerable swiftness, 

 depresses its head, and expands its broad fan-like tail. But, 

 when too closely pressed, hides in some secret cover, or 

 seeks safety in flight. On account of the sudden and un- 

 looked-for variations in the direction of their flight, these 

 birds are hard to kill upon the wing. 



Besides the peculiar drumming sound which the males 

 produce during the love-season, they utter others which are 

 no less remarkable. On arising from the ground, a sort of 

 cackling note is repeated several times in lively succession, 

 this is closely succeeded by a peculiar lisping whistle, 



