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THE RUFFED GROUSE. 



BVFFED GROUSE. 



Although, properly speaking, sedentary, yet at the approach of 

 autumn, they make partial migrations by single families in quest of a 

 supply of food. In the northern parts of New England, at the approach 

 of winter, they leave the hills for lower and more sheltered situations. 



He is a fine bird when his gaiety is displayed ; that is, when lie 

 spreads his tail like that of a Turkey-cock, and erects the circle of 

 feathers round his neck like a ruif, walking with a stately and even 

 pace, and making a noise somewhat like that of a Turkey. This is the 

 moment which the sportsman seizes to fire at him, for, if the bird 

 observes that he is discovered, he immediately flies off to a distance of 

 several hundred yards before lie again alights. 



There is something very remarkable in what is called the thumping 

 of these birds. This they do, as the sportsmen tell us, by clapping 

 their wing.s against their sides. They stand upon an old fallen tree, 

 and in this station they begin their strokes gradually, at about 

 two seconds of time from another, and repeat them quicker and 

 quicker, until they make a noise not u-nlike distant thunder. Thia 

 continues, from the beginning, about a minute; the bird ceases for 

 FIX or eight minutes, and then begins again. The sound ifi often 

 heard at the distance of nearly half a mile ; and sportsmen take ad- 

 vantage of this note, to discover the birds, and shoot them. The 

 Grouse commonly practise their thumping during the spring and fall 

 of the year, at about nine or ten o'clock in the morning, and four or 

 five in the afternoon 



