66 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS— GROUSE 



mer, even as early as July, the growing corn afforded 

 a refuge often miles in extent where it was intensely 

 hot and where the shooting was difficult, especially so 

 where the broad green leaves of the corn grew higher 

 than the head. In Illinois and Kansas I have seen 

 many a fine covey of grouse at the first shot on the 

 stubble fly directly to the corn and sailing for a long 

 distance over it settle where it was difficult to mark 

 them and impossible to shoot them. Toward evening 

 the birds return to the stubble to feed, but at the first 

 shot they fly back to the corn. 



The prairie-grouse builds its nest on the ground and 

 there are usually from twelve to fifteen eggs. The 

 cocks in the spring make a loud booming noise, and 

 strut and fight often at certain places called by the 

 country folks scratching places. 



Many nests are destroyed by prairie fires and many 

 by spring floods. Provided it be not too late the hen 

 will usually nest again. Many are of the opinion that 

 the grouse raise two broods in a year; I doubt not 

 they do sometimes, and usually if the first brood is 

 destroyed. Early in the season the young birds are not 

 strong on the wing and are very easy marks. They 

 arise from the ground with the loud whirring noise 

 made by all gallinaceous birds, and familiar to every- 

 one who has stumbled upon a flock of partridges or a 

 ruffed-grouse in the woods. When full grown the 

 flight is strong and well sustained, the whirring con- 

 tinues for a time and then the birds sail on extended 

 wings, soon to whirr and sail again alternately until 

 they have flown a great distance. When the grouse 

 are young and tame, and have not been shot at, they 



