THE PKAIRIE HEN. 151 



wandering about witli their young, if interrupted, they resort 

 to the same artifices as the Partridge to protect their young 

 Their food consists of seeds of the sumach, grapes, grain, wild 

 strawberries, cranberries, partridge berries, whortleberries 

 blackberries, and young buds. They also partake of worms 

 grasshoppers, flies, and insects generally. In the winter season 

 they eat acorns, the tender buds of the pine, clover leaves, and 

 when convenient to their haunts, will frequent buckwheat and 

 other stubbles. 



They are said to remain stationary during the whole year 

 round, and show no disposition to- migrate or travel as the 

 Euffed Grouse or Partridge. They affect the driest situations, 

 and avoid as far as possible marshy or wet places, and partake 

 very sparingly of water ; in fact, depend entirely for a supply of 

 this fluid from the morning dew, which they collect from oft' 

 the leaves of plants. So dry are the situations that these Birds 

 generally affect, that it is absolutely necessary to carry water 

 along for the Dogs, otherwise they will soon be entirely over- 

 come by thirst. 



FLIGHT. 



If surprised, the Pinnated Grouse rise with a moderate whir- 

 ring sound ; but, if they discover the Sportsman at a distance, 

 they run off with the utmost speed, then squat and remain per- 

 fectly silent till passed by or put up by the Dog. Their flight 

 is strong, regular, and tolerable, swift, and at times, according 

 to Audubon, protracted to several miles without intermission. 

 They fly less rapidly than the Euffed Grouse, and often repeat 

 two or three duckings when about to spring or when on the 

 wing ; they also frequently take to the branches of the highest 

 forest-trees, and if then shot, they fall and turn round and round 

 with great violence, not unlike a common Chicken, till dead. 

 If wounded only, they run with great swiftness, and hide them- 

 selves in some secluded spot, where they remain motionless. 



