66 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



' This great difference of disposition in two species whose food 

 seems to be nearly the same, is very extraordinary. In those 

 open plains called the Barrens, in Kentucky, the Pinnated 

 Grouse was seen in great numbers, but none of the Ruffed, 

 While in the high groves with which this singular tract of coun- 

 try is interspersed, the latter, or Pheasant, was frequently met 

 with, but not a single individual of the former. The native haunts 

 of the Pheasant, being a cold, high, mountainous, and woody 

 country, it is natural to expect that as we descend from thence 

 to the sea shores, and the low, flat, and warm climate of the 

 Southern States, these birds should become more rare, and 

 such IS indeed the case. In the low parts of Carolina, and Geor- 

 gia, and Florida, they are very seldom observed, but as we 

 advance inland to the mountains, they again make their appear- 

 ance. In the low parts of New Jersey we indeed occasionally 

 meet with them, but this is owing to the more northerly situa- 

 tion of the country, for even here they are far less numerous 

 than among the mountains. Dr. Burton, and several other 

 English writers, have spoken of a Long-tailed Grouse, said to 

 inhabit the back parts of Virginia, which can be no other than 

 the present species ; there being, as far as I am acquainted, only 

 these two,* the Ruffed and Pinnated Grouse, found natives within 

 the United States. The manners of the Pheasant are solitary, 

 they are seldom found in coveys of more than four or five together, 

 and more usually in pairs, or singly. They leave their seques- 

 tered haunts in the woods early in the morning, and seek the 

 path or road to pick up gravel, and glean among the droppings 

 of the horses. In travelling among the mountains that bound 

 the Susquehanna, I was always able to furnish myself with an 

 abundant supply of these birds without leaving the path. If the 

 weather be foggy or lowering, they are sure to be seen in such 

 situations. They generally move along with great stateliness, 

 the broad, fan-like tail spread out. 



" The drumming, as it is usually called, of the Pheasant, 

 is another singularity of this species. This is performed by the 



* This is, of course, aii error of Wilson's. 



