THE PINNATED GROUSE. 193 



be heard distinctly for over a mile. As the spring advances 

 they confine this habit to evening and morning, but by the 

 time the brood is hatched, cease it altogether. The pecu- 

 liarity of the call of the males of this species is such, that 

 once heard, it is difficult to forget, particularly when 

 softened by distance ; it is produced by forcing the air out 

 of two orange coloured receptacles placed on either side of 

 the throat, and which, when inflated, are as large in cir- 

 cumference as a man's finger, perfectly free from feathers 

 upon their] surface, but hid when in a state of quiescence 

 by fan-shaped bunches of hackles that completely cover 

 them.* 



The pinnated grouse is about the size of our pheasant ; 

 however, they differ considerably, those birds that inhabit 

 southern Illinois being at least one-fourth larger than those 

 obtained in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the north-west 

 prairies. They are of a beautiful mottled-brown and fawn 

 colour, frequently with white finger-marks on the upper 

 portion of the wings and back: are feathered down the 

 legs to the feet, have beautifully set- on small heads, with a 

 slight crest, and bright yellow iris. When standing, their 

 attitude is very erect, but graceful. On being flushed, they 

 invariably cackle, and the flight, except of young birds, is 

 very long. In the commencement of the season, and in 

 fact as long as the weather is bright and mild, they lie 

 remarkably well to dogs; but severe and cold weather 

 causes them to pack and become wild. However, late in 

 October, or even in November, if you should hit upon a 



* The most killing hackles for tying trout-flies. 



13 



