A Bit of Grouse Hunter's Lore. 191 



as likely to be found in the dreary north- 

 facing ravine as on the warm southern 

 exposures. When they are in company the 

 birds keep up a constant talking to each 

 other, but in low voices as though fearful 

 of being overheard. There are querulous 

 notes from the spinsters and solemn warn- 

 ings from the dignified matrons when the 

 obstreperous young cocks challenge each 

 other to a wrestle, but the loudest vocal 

 expression of the ruffed grouse is the 

 clucking and squealing of a bird that has 

 lain long to the dog, when, running like a 

 rabbit out from under the brush-heap, he 

 bustles on roaring wing away through the 

 swishing birch twigs and gives vent to his 

 emotions as he departs. Not all grouse 

 squeal when thus flushed, but they seldom 

 fail to utter their loudest notes when 

 alighting on a tree overhead after being 

 startled ; and when running for a hiding- 

 place they utter a hurried " quit, quit, quit" 

 that attracts the immediate attention of 

 the dog. A mother grouse, with young, 

 whines precisely like a dog when an enemy 

 is near her brood. 



