THE BUFFED GKOTJSE. 287 



Quail of this continent would seem to be its equivalent ; 

 being as it were a connecting link between the European 

 Quail, and the Partridge of Europe. 



The Ruffed Grouse ranges over a very wide portion of 

 the United States and British provinces, from the 51st 

 degree of north latitude to the Atlantic sea-board, 

 although it is much more scarce in the Southern States 

 than in the midland and northern regions. It is remark- 

 able also that it varies exceedingly in color ; those to the 

 northward being comparatively dull and gray, to those 

 of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and more genial regions. 



The distinctive feature, whence this bird derives his 

 title of Ruffed Grouse, is the tuft or tippet of jet-black 

 feathers, glossed with metallic hues, which are shown 

 more or less distinctly in each of the figures in the 

 wood-cut at the head of this paper, but the most decided- 

 ly in the cock-bird, represented as standing on a fallen 

 log, in the act of drumming, with these ruffs elevated, 

 and his tail erected and expanded after the manner of a 

 Turkey or Peacock, in the season of his amorous phan- 

 tasies. 



This drumming, a sound sufficiently familiar to all 

 ears accustomed to the sights and noises of the forest, is 

 no less than the call of the male bird to his harem of 

 attendant wives ; for the Ruffed Grouse, unlike our 

 pretty, constant, and domestic Quail, selects himself no 

 one fond partner, whom to cheer with his loved notes, to 

 comfort and amuse during the breeding season, but 



