174 UPLAND SHOOTING. 



of pine and cedar where they have passed the winter, and 

 come down to the streams, near which they will live until 

 cold weather again drives them into winter quarters. 

 They do not arrive in families, but in groups the young 

 males first, then, one by one, the old cocks, heroes of 

 many a battle, and last, the females. No chaperon ever 

 assigned quarters to a camping-party with a greater sense 

 of propriety than is observed by the old hens in selecting 

 a roosting and feeding place for themselves and for the 

 tender pullets. All courtship must be carried on in an 

 open manner, and there must be no peeping behind the 

 scenes, so, for a few days, the sexes remain apart; but, 

 with the warm "chinook," the males tire of their life of 

 celibacy. The papillous membrane over the eye becomes 

 inflamed, and the hens look forth in admiration as their 

 lords strut around the grove in hopes of drawing some 

 mate from the seclusion of the bower; but this method 

 of securing a partner is futile, so the oft-described dance 

 of the grouse comes next upon the programme. In their 

 parades, the males have tramped a smooth place a few 

 yards square, and this they convert into a ball-room. At 

 first only the old birds take part in the exercise. Their 

 neck-feathers are expanded, and, with wings trailed, yet 

 constantly vibrating, they commence with stately measure, 

 now on this side of the circle, now on that, yet always 

 within sight of the object of their devotion. Often they 

 pretend to fight, but their belligerent attitude is assumed 

 only for effect. When one tires, he gives a satisfied cluck, 

 and goes among the hens to secure compliments upon his 

 Chesterfieldian appearance, and then, having satisfied 

 his egotistical emotions, returns to the floor. All this 

 time the younger males survey the stamping-ground with 

 envious eyes. At length, one of the more daring makes 

 a break for a prominent position, and proceeds to emulate 

 his elders. Such an intrusion is not tolerated without a. 



