124 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



generally satisfied with a sip of the morning dew. For this reason 

 the sportsman will be forced to cany v/ater in a barrel in the wagon 

 for the dogs. This Grouse, when flushed, rises with a whirring sound. 

 Their flight is regular and swift, frequently, in October, flying sev- 

 eral miles, then dropping down in the long grass. They fly less 

 rapidly than the Ruffed Grouse, but like them, make a cluck just 

 before starting. They resort to their feeding ground about day- 

 light, and retire by the cornfields or fresh plowed fields to dust 

 themselves, and come for their evening meal about four o'clock. 

 They roost within a few feet of one another all the year, seldom 

 roosting on trees, but generally taking an open field, and some- 

 times on the fences. In the early fall their flesh is light, but 

 after a few frosts the flesh becomes dark, and loses its delicate fla- 

 vor. Unlike the Ruffed Grouse, they can be domesticated, and will 

 pair and breed during imprisonment, and do not migrate like the 

 other varieties. The Grouse in the spring commences about April 

 to " toot," and can be heard nearly a mile. 



In the Southwest and especially in Texas is found a paler and 

 somewhat smaller form of this species, which Mr. Ridgway has 

 called va.ntiy panidz'cinctKs. 



Bonasa umbellus. — Stephens. Ruffed Grouse. Partridge of the East and North. 

 Pheasant of the South and Southwest. 



The Ruffed Grouse is of all our game birds the most difficult 

 to kill, least domestic in its habits, and most particular as to the 

 haunts which it frequents. The range of this Grouse extends over 

 the whole breadth of our Continent, wherever there is wooded 

 country, northward as far as the fifty-sixth parallel, and southward 

 to Texas. Audubon says that there are portions of South Carolina 

 in which it never existed, and it is doubtful if it is found in the ex- 

 treme southeast at all. Its flesh is white and very tender. It is 

 said by some that their flesh is poisonous after they have eaten the 

 leaves of the laurel (Kalmia latifoUa) ; but Audubon appears to 

 doubt this. It is the only one of the genus that produces the 

 " drumming" or thunder-like noise, in the localities where it ex- 

 ists. It is very shy, and takes wing at the slightest intrusion. 

 Should a sportsman ever be fortunate enough to see one strutting 

 and drumming, he would ever after remember the sight. It may 



