THE PHEASANT. 139 



approach of winter, but their excursions are neither so general 

 nor extensive as those of the Partridge. Pheasants fly with great 

 ease, and do not hesitate to cross the widest rivers that obstruct 

 their way during the season of migration. Audubon, speaking 

 of these migrations, remarks "that no one who pays the least 

 attention to the manners and habits of our Birds can fail to ob- 

 serve them." 



FLIGHT. 



This Bird, as most others of the Gallinaceous order, when dis- 

 turbed, flies with a loud whirring noise, even louder and more 

 startling than that made by the springing of a large covey of 

 Partridges. They usually fly away in a direct line, and seldom 

 or never either cross the Shooter or fly behind him. 



When not put to flight from fear or any other exciting cause, 

 they move off slowly and rather stiffly, flapping their wings for 

 a few seconds, and then sailing ahead. They seldom go further 

 than a few hundred yards at a time. Audubon does not think 

 that any of the Gallinaceous tribe, when moving through the 

 air, perfectly free from excitement, necessarily makes a whirring 

 sound ; but, on the contrary, supposes the noise is produced by 

 the unusual rapidity in the motion of the wings, owing to the 

 over anxiety of the Bird to escape the suspected danger. He 

 also states that he has observed Pheasants, as well as Partridges, 

 rise and fly off of their own free will, without making the least 

 noise ; but, on the contrary, they got up as lightly and noise 

 lessly as other Birds. 



HABITS. 



The Ruffed Grouse, as before stated, is a very solitary Bird ; 

 they are commonly found in small packs of four to eight, in 

 sections of the country where they are not too much hunted. 

 If frequently disturbed, it is rare to find more than a single 

 pair together. They delight in high elevated districts, and love 

 to roam about in dense and secluded forests, watered by some 

 large stream, upon the precipitate banks of which they can 

 repose in silence, or wander about in search of food. At a very 



