NEST OF THE PINNATED GROUSE. 203 



love they ruffle their feathers, drop their wings and tails, 

 and strut about with more pomposity than ever did city 

 beau. 



The nest, which is generally placed upon the top of a 

 hillock among the long grass, in shape is irregular, but on 

 examination it will be found carefully constructed of leaves 

 and interwoven grasses. The eggs are a trifle smaller than 

 those of the domestic fowl, and are of a dull, yellowish col- 

 or, much resembling those of the ruffed grouse. In eight- 

 een or nineteen days they are hatched, and the chicks leave 

 their nest immediately afterward. From this period the 

 female is deserted by her mate, and until severe weather 

 causes them to pack, the old males and females are not 

 found again together. 



By the first week in August the. young are capable of 

 short flights, although not exceeding our partridge in size ; 

 and if shot thus early, which is too frequently the case, it 

 is difficult to imagine more delicious food. But they will 

 not bear keeping, and sooner taint than any other game 

 bird I am acquainted with. 



Although the pinnated grouse seldom leave the open 

 country, yet if winter be excessively severe they will fre- 

 quent the edges of the timber, roosting on the tallest trees, 

 more particularly girdlings, or those destitute of small limbs. 

 Under such circumstances they are exceedingly wild, and 

 the most successful deer or turkey hunter may practice all 

 his cunning and most cautious methods of approach with 

 signal failure in getting even within rifle range. However, 

 in a snow-storm, by putting white clothes on, or a night- 

 gown over your attire, and tying a towel around your head, 

 with facility the gunner can get within ten or fifteen yards 

 of them. 



When flushed, prairie -chicken invariably utter several 

 separate clucks, but after they have succeeded in placing 



