Ruffed Grouse. 209 



waited. In a few minutes there was a 

 pattering of very light footsteps in the 

 leaves back of me. Nearer and nearer 

 they came, stopping for a second and then 

 proceeding again, coming my way all of 

 the while. Suddenly a surprised " peet " 

 on the right caused me to slowly turn my 

 eyes in that direction, and there, within 

 six feet, was a splendid male grouse, with 

 crest erect and tail partially spread, look- 

 ing curiously at me. I kept stiller than any 

 little mouse, and the grouse satisfied him- 

 self that I was harmless. He came a few 

 steps nearer, clucking all of the while, and 

 mounting a stone, spread ' his tail to its 

 fullest extent, and with crest and tail erect, 

 with ruff displayed, and with wings droop- 

 ing to his feet, he turned two or three 

 times around, like a turkey gobbler. 

 Then composing himself again he took 

 another good look and walked around in 

 front. 



At that moment another grouse, a 

 younger one, had come around the rock 

 by which I was sitting, and he too went 

 through the same performance, but not in 



