132 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 



that one would scarcely have known it was the same 

 bird. 



"I will describe as nearly as I can his conduct and at- 

 titude while strutting. The tail stands almost erect, 

 the wings are slightly raised from the body and a little 

 drooped, the head is still well up, and the feathers of 

 the breast and throat are raised, and standing out in 

 regular rows, with the feathers of the nape and hind 

 neck well back, forming a smooth kind of cape on the 

 back of the neck. This smooth cape contrasts beauti- 

 fully with the ruffled black and white feathers of the 

 throat and fore breast. The red comb over each eye is 

 enlarged, until the two nearly meet over the top of the 

 head. This comb the bird is able to enlarge or reduce 

 at will, and while he is strutting the expanded tail is 

 moved from side to side. The two center feathers 

 do not move, but each side expands and contracts al- 

 ternately with each step as the bird walks. This move- 

 ment of the tail produces a peculiar rustling like that 

 of silk. This attitude gives him a very dignified and 

 even conceited air. He tries to attract attention in 

 every possible way by flying from the ground up on a 

 perch, and back to the ground, making all the noise he 

 can in doing so. Then he will thump some hard sub- 

 stance with his bill. I have had him fly up on my 

 shoulder and thump my collar. At this season he is 

 very bold and will scarcely keep enough out of the 

 way to avoid being stepped on. He will sometimes sit 

 with his breast almost touching the earth, his feathers 

 erect as in strutting, and making peculiar nodding and 



