THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



also be reared and kept in captivity, and must 

 be very interesting birds to study, with their 

 habit of ruffling their plumage, which has 

 given them their name. 



Then there is the puzzle of the drumming to 

 solve. Exactly what part of the bird's body 

 the sound proceeds from has been a much dis- 

 puted point with naturalists. Some declared 

 that it was vocal; others that the wings, strik- 

 ing hollow logs, caused it. Recent investiga- 

 tion seems to indorse Professor Brewster's de- 

 scription, written for the American Sports- 

 man in 1874, which I quote for the benefit of 

 those who may never have heard the sound. 



" I followed his direction, and soon espied 

 the object of my search standing on the edge 

 of a huge log, with his feathers ruffed up, 

 and looking very disconsolate indeed. I ap- 

 proached cautiously to within about twelve 

 feet, and sat down. For a few minutes he 

 stared at me stupidly with outstretched neck, 

 then resumed his indolent attitude. At length, 

 when I had become nearly tired of waiting, 



257 



