370 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



time. I have also heard it on moonlight nights, and as early as half past 

 three in the morning, the commonest times for the performance being at 

 daybreak, in the middle of the forenoon, and the latter part of the afternoon. 

 During the drumming period the action is repeated every few minutes. 



Nesting. The usual time for the beginning of incubation is from April 

 20 to May 10, rarely as early as April 5th. The female chooses her nesting 



Photo by James H. Miller 



RufFed grouse's nest and eggs 



site at the foot of a tree or stump, or beneath a bush or small hemlock: 

 scratches a slight depression and lines it with leaves, and deposits from 

 8 to 14 eggs of a buffy colnr, usually plain, but sometimes sparingly speckled 

 with brown, averaging 1.5 x 1.18 inches in size. The period of incubation 

 according to Bendire lasts from 24 to 28 days. The young follow the mother 

 from the nest about a day after hatching and are extremely expert in hiding 

 among the dead leaves at the v/aming note from the mother. She exhibits 



