"THE PARTRIDGES" OF MUSKOKA 211 



district, far removed from Crane and Blackstone 

 Lakes, quail are found, but these birds are 

 probably stragglers. The forest growth is un- 

 suitable to the quail. Last year there was a 

 dispute among American sportsmen as to whether 

 Colinus virginianus was a partridge or a quail. 

 The majority decided it was a partridge. As a 

 matter of fact it is neither. 



The flight of the ruffed grouse is straight- 

 forward, rather low, unless when the bird has 

 been disturbed, and seldom exceeds a few hundred 

 yards. When it rises from the ground on being 

 pursued by a dog or startled by a hunter, it 

 produces a loud, whirring sound. This whirring 

 sound is never heard when the grouse rises of 

 its own accord, for the purpose of moving from 

 one place to another. 



The ruffed grouse spends a large portion 

 of its time on the ground, where its motions are 

 peculiarly graceful. It walks with an elevated 

 firm step, opening its beautiful tail gently and 

 with a well-marked jet, holding erect its head, 

 the features of which are frequently raised, as 

 are the velvety tufts of its neck. It poises its 

 body on one foot for several seconds at a time, 

 and utters a soft cluck. Should the bird discover 



