Ruffed Grouse. . 233 



Where there is a paucity of food-materials, such as acorns, 

 the seeds of the beech and of the various species of birch, they 

 do not hesitate to devour the buds of the mountain laurel, 

 which impart a poisonous character to their flesh. When 

 severely hunger-pressed they feed upon dry bark, the insects 

 that harbor in the creviced trunks and branches of trees, and 

 even stray to the roads that wander through their gloomy 

 retreats and peck at the hard, frozen horse-droppings they 

 chance to encounter. But when spring returns and renews 

 her bond of faith with Mother Earth, they more than make 

 up for their scanty winter fare and feast with fastidious appe- 

 tites upon the now tender and juicy buds of the black birch, 

 which give a peculiar and toothsome flavor to their flesh that 

 has acquired for them in some localities the name of Birch 

 Partridge. For a brief spell every other interest is now 

 absorbed in that of unrestrained feasting, to which the sexes 

 submit themselves with all the abandon of civilized humanity. 

 The middle of March, or the close of the month dedicated 

 by the ancient Romans to purifications and fastings, when 

 the weather is favorable, marks a change in their life. This 

 era is announced by a loud drumming noise, which is 

 everywhere heard. Standing upon a tall rock or a prostrate 

 log in some secluded woods or other locality, the author of 

 this noise may be found. His attitude and demeanor needs 

 must be seen to be appreciated. Once seen, he can never be 

 forgotten. Arrayed in a brand-new spring suit, he is a 

 being not to be despised. But this is not all. His beauti- 

 fully-contracted neck, broad, expanded, fan-like tail and ele- 

 vated feather-tufts that ornament both sides of his neck, as 

 he struts about with all the grace and dignity of some 

 pompous lord or duke, render him of no mean importance 

 and greatly add to his attractions. 



But it is his final actions that impress the beholder with 

 wonder and admiration. The hitherto trailing wings now 

 assume a condition of rigidity, and commence a firm, but 

 slow, downward and forward movement, which steadily 



