138 lewis' AMERICAN" SPORTSMAN. 



DRUMMING. 



Early in the spring, the forests resound far and wide, in cer- 

 tain portions of our country, with the Drumming of the Cock 

 Pheasant, who adopts this rather singular method of calling 

 the Hen into his presence; in fact, the making of this pecu- 

 liar noise is the only sure plan that he has of wooing his 

 mate from her close retreat during the period of incubation. 

 This operation is a very singular manoeuvre, and we know not 

 better how to explain it to our readers than in the words of 

 Audubon : — 



"The male Bird, standing erect on a prostrate decayed trunk, 

 raises the feathers of its body in the manner of a Turkey-Cock, 

 draws its head towards its tail, erecting the feathers of the latter 

 at the same time, and raising its Bufi' around the neck, suffers 

 its wings to drop, and struts about on the log. A few moments 

 elapse, when the Bird draws the whole of its feathers close to 

 its body, and, stretching itself out, beats its sides with its wings 

 in the manner of the domestic Cock, but more loudly, and with 

 such rapidity of motion, after a few of the first strokes, as to 

 cause a tremor in the air not unlike the rumbling of distant 

 thunder." 



This rumbling sound is called the Drumming of the Pheasant, 

 and in clear weather may be heard a long distance off". The 

 Cock resorts to the same spot, if undisturbed, during the whole 

 breeding season, for the purpose of performing these singular 

 manoeuvres, as may very easily be proved by the large deposit 

 of excrement and feathers that are always found in places suit- 

 able for this purpose. 



During the pairing season, fierce battles often take place be- 

 tween the males for the possession of the females. The Cocks 

 are not confined entirely in their attentions to one mate, but 

 often have several Hens under their protection. 



MIGRATIONS. 



Like the Partridge and Wild Turkey, Pheasants are said to 

 perform partial migrations, from northwest to southeast, at the 



