The Ruffed Grouse 



Sidney J. Wilkin 

 Brockport, N. Y. 



The ruffed grouse, or as the Romans would say, Bonasa umbellus 

 is one of the best known game birds of this country. It has 

 numerous names depending on what part of the country we happen 

 to be in. In the British Provinces it is called the birch partridge; 

 in the Northern Atlantic States, the partridge, while it is commonly 

 called the pheasant in Virginia and more southern states. It is 

 found throughout the Union from Massachusetts to Georgia and 

 westward in the wooded regions of Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and 

 Minnesota to the Dakotas. In the Southeastern States it is con- 

 fined mainly to the mountainous parts, rarely descending to the 

 valleys or low country. It is a permanent but roving resident. 



This bird is from sixteen to eighteen inches long. The upper 

 parts of the male bird are chestnut colored, varied with grayish 

 and yellowish brown. The head is slightly crested. The bill is 

 short and horn colored. There is a tuft of glossy, greenish black 

 feathers tipped with light brown on each side of the neck. The 

 tail is long and spread fan-like, and is yellowish brown, grey or 

 buff colored with a broad subterminal band of black between the 

 grey bands. The throat and breast are buff, the former un- 

 marked. Underneath, the feathers are of whitish color, barred 

 with brown strongly on the sides, less distinctly on the breast 

 and below. The legs are feathered to the heel. 



Its habits are well known to bird lovers and bird hunters. Its 

 nature is wary and cunning to the highest degree. It inhabits 

 dense thickets, swamps and clumps of bushes, but prefers a hilly 

 or mountainous country covered with timber. Very often it is 

 found along the banks of streams which are covered with bushes. 

 The most characteristic trait of these birds is the drumming of the 

 male. The male drums throughout the year, but most frequently 

 in the spring during the mating season. In the spring it is a 

 defiance to his rivals or a call to the hens. The rest of the year it 

 signifies the bird's general good health and lusty vigor. The 

 drumming sounds like the low muffled roll of a drum and is made 

 solely by the wings. However, there is considerable contention 

 as to just how the sound is produced. Some believe the wings are 

 struck together over its back, others believe it strikes the log or rail 



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