42 SHARP EYES 



" Puff! puff! puff! puff! puff! p-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r." In a 

 paper in Harper 's Magazine I have had something' to 

 say about this drum of the partridge, but I surely 

 cannot let this " April " pass in my natural history 

 calendar without again referring to the bird, partic- 

 ularly as I should thus miss a grand opportunity of 

 sending a host of wide-awake boys on its track to 

 learn its well-kept secret; for this mysterious "drum" 

 has apparently never yet been seen by mortal eye. I 

 have shown my bird as I once saw him at close range, 

 only that his wings of course were in a whirr of mo- 

 tion. He had his drum with him too, and the muffled 

 roll filled the woods. Where did he keep it? Here is 

 the testimony of a few of the prominent witnesses who 

 have seen him in the act. You can take your choice, 

 and then go and find out for yourself. 



A host of ornithologists claim that the bird beats 

 with its wings " the log " on which it stands. 



Brewer affirms that the wings beat both the log and 

 the sides of the bird. 



Audubon says he strikes his sides after the manner of 

 the rooster. [An act which the rooster never performs.] 



Burroughs says the drum is " its own proud breast." 



Wilson says the bird beats nothing but the air, and 

 Burroughs later comes to the same opinion. 



Bryant thinks the same. 



Thoreau and Flagg and the writer assert that the 

 wings are struck above the back if anywhere. 



All these authorities differ also as to the position 

 which the bird assumes when drumming; some affirm- 

 ing that he stands upright, as a drummer ought, others 

 that he stoops to a horizontal position. Come, boys, 

 which of you can give us the facts ? 



