The Ruffed Grouse and Grouse Shooting 291 



crow whenever the humor strikes him. He just feels 

 that way. In any event the sound is a baffling one, 

 which may appear to come in turn from right, left, 

 front, and rear, although the bird has not changed 

 position. It is no easy task to stalk the concealed 

 drummer; yet any one who has the patience to ad- 

 vance only when the drum is sounding, and to 

 remain motionless but alert during the intervals, may 

 obtain a view of the queer performance. I have seen 

 grouse drum many times and at varying distances. 

 Most of these birds were upon logs, and between the 

 acts they moved to and fro with mincing steps, while 

 they appeared to glance sharply in every direction 

 as though on the lookout for an approaching female, 

 or a possible foe. When ready to drum, they stood 

 erect with head thrown back and the beautiful 

 tail raised high and full-spread like a fan. The 

 wings were spread to their full extent, and then 

 brought sharply against the sides in successive 

 strokes, which increased in rapidity till the separate 

 strokes were blurred together in a rolling sound 

 somewhat like low, distant thunder, or the rumble 

 of a carriage rapidly driven over a short wooden 

 bridge. A clever boxer with soft gloves might drum 

 an imitation of it upon a punching-bag. The sound 

 of a boot against a foot-ball is not unlike the peculiar 

 noise of the opening beat. 



Now, this bears upon the oft-disputed question of 

 whether the bird's wings strike the log or the bird's 

 body. I say the body and the body only, although 

 of course they may now and then accidentally strike 

 whatever the bird may be standing upon. Years 

 ago we had a huge gobbler of half-wild blood, and 



