GROUSE. 113 



are away, and must be looked for in another tree top. One may 

 sometimes shoot half a dozen times with a rifle at the same bird, 

 aiming at the head to avoid tearing the flesh, but there will be no 

 sign of motion unless hit. When there are several upon the same 

 tree, if the lowest is first shot the others are not disturbed, and may 

 be picked off one by one ; but if an upper one falls past them they 

 are instantly off. In autumn, when nearly or quite grown, and the 

 pack are unbroken, if met with in open ground, they lie well before 

 a dog, and furnish excellent sport. When flushed, their flight is 

 swift and straight, and they are easily shot, but if timber is near 

 they are sure to make for it, and when in the trees a sitting shot 

 is the only sure one. Should they fly, a single glimpse through 

 the thick pine branches would probably give the only chance. 



In common with the ruffed grouse, the packs have a habit of 

 scattering in winter, two or three, or even a single bird, being often 

 found with no others in the vicinity, their habit of feeding in the 

 trees tending to separate them. The size of the blue grouse is 

 nearly twice that of the ruffed grouse, a full grown bird weighing 

 from three to four pounds. Its plumage is very beautiful ; indeed, 

 that of the male in winter and spring is perfectly magnificent. The 

 feathers are very thick, and upon the neck, back, and wings a lus- 

 trous blue black, ghstening like satin. Beneath the color is a dusky 

 brown, but whitish under the throat, the legs fully clad, and the 

 feathering extending into the toes. It seems fitly dressed to en- 

 dure the rigor of its habitat, which is the Rocky Mountain and 

 Sierra Nevada country only, and in the pine forests from five to 

 ten thousand feet above the level of the sea. The latter height is 

 generally about the snow line in these regions, and at this latter 

 elevation is found the ptarmigan {Lagopiis leucurus), rarely seen 

 because his home is rarely visited. Although the weather in the 

 mountains is often mild and pleasant in winter, and especially 

 healthy and agreeable from the dryness and purity of the atmos- 

 phere, yet the cold is sometimes intense. 



The nests of the Dusky Grouse are upon the ground, usually 

 well hidden in a thicket, and the broods about one-third larger 

 than those of the sage hen, generally from twelve to fifteen in 

 number. The eggs are of a creamy white color, speckled all over 

 with dots of chocolate-brown. 



