DANCERS 59 



of pecking movements which he accompanies by a 

 movement of his tail as he sings. 

 ^ The ruffled grouse, whose habitat extends from 

 Texas to Canada, and from the Atlantic Ocean to 

 the Pacific, is both a dancer and a musician. His 

 special instrument is the kettle-drum, although at 

 times he produces a booming sound with his wings. 

 His favourite ballroom is on a dead log. Here he 

 displays his soldier-like costume and handsome body 

 in a series of most remarkable dances. Unlike many 

 of his cousins he refuses to dance the ordinary 

 minuets and quadrilles, but gallantly struts up and 

 down the log, swelling his body to the music of his 

 own making, until a handsome female chances to 

 appear on the scene. Should he seem to have no 

 audience, he stops his dance long enough to pro- 

 duce a booming sound with his strong wings. This 

 amusement is continued until an audience has as- 

 sembled and some fair grouse has chosen him for a 

 mate. 



It sometimes happens that two or three grouse 

 assemble and dance on the same log. The drum- 

 ming occurs between February and April and con- 

 tinues until all the birds have mated. The spruce 

 partridge of Canada is famed for his soldier-like 

 ways and rustic dancing. Dancing, however, is 

 secondary among his wooing accomplishments. 



