THE RUFFED GROUSE. 151 



other, as lias been already described. This is most 

 common in the morning and evening, though I have 

 heard them drumming at all hours of the day. By 

 means of this, the gunner is led to the place of his 

 retreat ; though, to those unacquainted with the 

 sound, there is great deception in the supposed dis- 

 tance, it generally appearing to be much nearer than 

 it really is." 



The Prince of Musignano has formed a new genus 

 for the reception of this bird, under the title Bonasia. 

 The principal distinctions are the unplumed tarsi, 

 contrasted with Tetrao and Lagopus. It is also re- 

 markable for the tufts of feathers springing from each 

 side of the neck, twenty-nine or thirty in number, 

 of a deep rich black. These it can raise at pleasure, 

 and uncover two bare patches of naked-looking skin, 

 which during the drumming noise are distended and 

 as it were blown up. The length of the bird is 

 about 18 inches, and the whole plumage is a beauti- 

 ful mixture of brown chestnut and grey, relieved by 

 the black tufts upon the neck, and a broad band of 

 the same colour at the extremity of the tail. The 

 female, according to Audubon, is generally of a 

 lighter colour than the male ; the ruff, though pre- 

 sent, being smaller and of a duller black. The nest 

 is made by the side of a prostrate tree or at the foot 

 of a low bush, composed of dried leaves and herba- 

 ceous plants. From five to twelve eggs are laid, 

 which are of a uniform dull yellowish colour. 



In America this bird is termed the pheasant, and 



