294 



THE AMERICAN POULTERER'S COMPANION. 



THE BUFFED GKOUSE. 



The ruffed grouse is known in almost every 

 quarter of the United States, and appears to in- 

 habit a very extensive range of country. Its 

 favorite places of resort are high mountains, cov- 

 ered with balsam, spruce, hemlock, and such 

 like evergreens. It always prefers the woods ; 

 is seldom or never found in open plains ; but 

 loves the pine-sheltered districts of mountains 

 near streams of water. In the lower parts of 

 Georgia, Carolina, and Florida, they are very 

 seldom observed ; but as we advance inland to 

 the mountains they again make their appear- 

 ance. 



The manners of the ruffed grouse are soli- 

 tary ; they are seldom found in coveys of more 

 than four and five together, and more usually 

 in pairs or singly. They leave the woods early 

 in the morning, and seek the path or road to 

 pick up gravel and glean among the droppings 

 of the horses. They also bathe and bask in the 

 fine, dry sand. If the weather be lowering or 

 foggy, they are sure of being found in such sit- 

 uations. They generally move along with great 

 stateliness, their broad, fan-like tail spread out. 



The drumming, as it is generally called, of the 

 partridge, is another singularity of this species. 

 This is performed by the male alone. It is a 

 kind of thump, like that produced by two blown- 

 up ox bladders being struck together; the strokes 

 at first are low and distinct, but gradually in- 

 crease in rapidity until they run into each oth- 

 er. They may be heard in a still day half a 

 mile off, and are produced in the following man- 

 ner: The bird, standing on an old prostrate 

 log, lowers his wings, erects his tail, contracts 

 his throat, elevates the two winglets or tufts 

 of feathers on his neck, and inflates his whole 

 body somewhat in the manner of the turkey- 

 cock, strutting and wheeling about with great 

 stateliness. After a few manoeuvres of this kind, 

 he begins to strike with his stiffened wings in 

 short and quick strokes, which become more 

 and more rapid, as has been described. This 

 is most common in the morning and evening; 

 and by this means the gunner is led to the place 

 of his retreat. 



On being disturbed the bird springs a few 

 yards, with a loud whirring sound, and flies 



