PINNATED GROUSE. 243 



exhausted and war- stained, to make selection of his 

 future mate. Often have the birds been found, after 

 these contests, so exhausted that they were scarcely 

 able to rise off the ground or avoid the traveller's feet. 

 And well do. the hawks know their enfeebled condi- 

 tion, and are not slow to avail themselves of the ad- 

 vantage and pounce upon the unfortunate conquerors, 

 who, but for their prowess and now-exhausted condition, 

 could easily have beaten off the relentless destroyer. 

 As soon as the victor has made his choice he retires. 

 The same scenes are again and again enacted till all 

 are mated. 



Like the turkey-cock and domestic pigeon, when 

 making love they ruffle their feathers, drop their 

 wings and tails, and strut about with more pomposity 

 than ever did city beau. 



The nest, which is generally placed upon the top of 

 a hillock among the long grass, in shape is irregular, 

 but on examination it will be found carefully con- 

 structed of leaves and interwoven grasses. The eggs, 

 which seldom exceed twelve, are a trifle smaller than 

 those of the domestic fowl, and are of a dull, yellowish 

 colour, much resembling those of the ruffed grouse. 

 In eighteen or nineteen days they are hatched, and the 

 chicks leave their nest immediately afterwards. From 

 this period the female is deserted by her mate, and 



