"THE PARTRIDGES" OF MUSKOKA 213 



eight birds of a covey by shooting the bird 

 perched upon the lowest bough. I believe the 

 whole covey has been bagged in this way in 

 spite of Mr. Audubon's experience to the con- 

 trary. The grouse appear to fear a dog more 

 than a man, and in every instance of my own 

 knowledge, nothing but a bird falling from over- 

 head, on the removal of the dog to another tree, 

 has caused their escape. 



In the breeding season the cocks select some 

 fallen tree, and strutting up and down beat with 

 their wings, making a muffled drumming sound 

 that can be heard for half a mile. The beat is 

 at irregular intervals, beginning slowly and 

 measuredly, and gradually increasing in quick- 

 ness, until it ends in a roll. If the bird happens 

 to find a dry well-placed log, his tattoo of 

 welcome can be heard a mile, and is one of the 

 pleasantest of woodland sounds. It has the same 

 accelerated paces and is about the same duration 

 as the call of the racoon, and is only heard in 

 the daytime, as the racoon's is only heard at 

 night. Usually the same cock continues to use 

 the same log, but he will sound his call from any 

 other place as well. Audubon writes : 

 u Early in April the ruffed grouse begins to 



