452 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



tlie jfround is covered by a fall of lij^lit snow, these birds dive into it and 

 conceal themselves, sometimes burrowinff tlirmi<;li it to the depth of several 

 feet. Wlien pursued, tliey tie(|iiently escajw in this numner. Many are 

 taken under the snow ; others are snared by nooses, or by means of figure 

 of four tra])S. 



This Grouse is more or less ])()ly<,'amous, and l)otli sexes are somewhat 

 promiscuous in tlieir intercourse. The males only remain with tlie females 

 until incubation has commenced, and then keep by tliemselves, unless re- 

 called l)y tlie females when their eggs have been taken or destroyed. The 

 males occasionally indulge in severe contests for the ])ossession of the 

 female, but not to the same extent as with the Pinnated Grouse. 



The female places her nest in some retired spot, usually on the edge of 

 the woods, or n ;ar an opening in it, always on the ground, and often under 

 the shelter of a projecting rock or a fallen log. Tlie nest is very rude and 

 simj)le, consisting of only a few leaves laid in a depression and not woven 

 togetlier. The eggs are from seven to twelve in number, and are generally 

 of a uniform yellowisli-brown color, and are \ery rarely mottled or spotted. 

 During incubation the Partridge sits very closely, and permits a near 

 apprcjach before she M'ill leave her charge. The young Partridges leave the 

 nest as soon as tliey are hatched, following tlieir motlier, who calls to tliem 

 with a clucking sound not unlike that of the connnon domestic Hen. The 

 mother is very devoted, courageous, and wily in defending them. Coming 

 suddenly upon a young brood of Partridges squatted with their mother near 

 the roadside in n woods, my first knowledge (jf thSir presence was received 

 from the old bird Hying directly at my face, and tlien tumbling about at my 

 feet with frantic manifestations of distress and imitated lameness. In the 

 mean while the little ones scattered in every direction, and were not to be 

 found. As .soon as she was satisfied of tlieir safety, the parent fiew to a 

 short distance, and I .soon heard her clucking call to them to come to her 

 again. Altogether, it was one of the most striking scenes of jiarental devo- 

 tion and well-managed interverition I ever witnessed. When I came upon 

 the mother, she had sipiatted upon the ground, and the young had taken 

 refuse under her wings. 



Tlie males keej) apart fnnn the females and the young until the approach 

 of winter, when they rea.ssemble in tlieir search for food. In severe seasons, 

 when the snow lies very deej), especially in Pennsylvania, they are said to 

 feed on the buds of tlie Mountain Laurel, or some other poisonous slirub 

 which imparts a poisonous character to their ficsh. In Maine they have 

 been accused of resorting to a])ple-orchards and destroying the fruit-ouds, 

 thus occasionally causing a serious injury to the prospective harvest. We 

 apprehend there is some foundation for these charges. 



Mr. William Street, of Easthampton, who resides on Mount Tom, writes 

 me that he has found this Grouse very numerous in that vicinity. Having 

 lived in a secluded place ten years, and having met with those birds con- 



