224 HISTORY OF THE 



white beneath; a rufous tinge on the scapulars. Feathers of the jugulum, 

 back, scapulars and wing coverts with broad, medial streaks of light ochra- 

 ceous, and black spots on the webs; jugulum with a strong buff tinge. Sec- 

 ondaries and wing coverts strongly mottled transversely. Head dingy buff, the 

 upper part more rusty; a postocular or auricular dusky patch, and a tuft of 

 dusky feathers on the vertex. Chick: Above, light rufous, beneath, rusty 

 white; uniform above and below; a dusty postocular streak, inclining down- 

 wards across the auriculars. Bill, whitish." 



Sir-etch of 

 Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 18.00 23.50 7.25 6.50 1.65 .70 



Female... 16.50 22.50 6.75 5.50 1.60 .65 



Iris brown; bill light brown, with base of under pale; feet 

 grayish brown; claws dark brown. 



This beautiful game bird, erroneously (but generally) known 

 as Partridge in the Northern States, ^nd as Pheasant in the 

 Southern States, inhabits the thickets and edges of the wooded 

 lands. Its food consists of insect life, seeds, berries, and ten- 

 der buds; the latter is its chief food during the winter and 

 early spring months. When on the ground it moves about with 

 outspread tail and a dignified step. When startled, it rises 

 with a whirring sound of the wings; at other times, in a noise- 

 less manner. Its flights are low and short, but swift as an ar- 

 row. 



The birds begin to pair early in the spring, and commence 

 laying the last of April to first of May. During the fall and 

 winter months they are usually found alone or in family groups, 

 never in large flocks. 



The peculiar drumming noise of the male, heard during the 

 early breeding season and occasionally until late in the fall, has 

 led to much controversy as to the cause producing the same, and 

 the conclusions reached are various, viz., ''striking the wings 

 against a log, the body, the air, etc.," but by many it is believed 

 to be vocal, and for this reason it was given its generic name, 

 Bonasa, from bonasus, a wild bull. From observation, I am 

 led to believe the sound comes chiefly if not wholly from the 

 quick, downward strokes of its short, concave wings upon the 

 air; a thrilling motion of joy, like the flapping of the rooster as 

 he crows. 



