NOVEMBER. 335 



rank smell, children call foxes ; but these have the elytra of 

 a brilliant crimson,, that changes to as bright a green, if the 

 light falls on it from a different angle. 



F. Here are two other insects of different orders; a 

 pretty Tortrix y and a large female black Ichneumon, which 

 emits a strong and peculiar smell. But the effects of the 

 late weather are not confined to insects : three days ago I 

 was surprised to see a full-grown Chequered Snake swiftly 

 gliding over the fallen leaves, beneath the maple grove : the 

 frogs, too, are still to be seen in the marshy pools and 

 springs. 



C. Ha ! what is that ? 



F. It is a partridge, the Ruffed Grouse of Wilson ( Te- 

 trao Umbellus). It remains with us, I believe, all the year, 

 and at this season frequently skulks about old logs, near the 

 borders of woods, where it might lie concealed, if it would keep 

 its own counsel; but an approaching footstep flushes it, and off 

 it goes, with a loud whirring noise that is quite startling : its 

 flight is widely different from the silent motion of the Owls. 

 It is a large and handsome bird, mottled with various shades 

 of brown and black ; and the delicate flavour of the flesh is 

 equal to its beauty. It is in excellent condition at this sea- 

 son, having fed on mast, berries, &c. ; but though common 

 with us, it is not much pursued. Our farmers are by no 

 means sportsmen : if a partridge were to come to their doors, 

 I suppose they would kill it, but in general the destruction 

 of a few pigeons when eating their buckwheat, or a few 

 grakles at their corn, is the height of their attainments in 

 this way. The partridge, or pheasant, as it is called farther 

 south, breeds with us : I have frequently flushed the coveys 

 in July and August : they will suffer you almost to tread 

 on them before they will fly ; but then they fly fast and far, 

 before they alight. 



