

83 



GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



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were abroad and searching for just such a toothsome 

 morsel as a fat Grouse, and I pictured to myself his 

 appearance, as, holding an evening reception, he dis- 

 played himself to the admiring gaze cf his hens, as in 

 all the pride of conscious power and possession he 

 strutted about in the moonlight upon his favorite log. 

 Well for him that his rolling call did not bring some 

 prowling Owl gliding on swift and noiseless wing, or 

 stealthy, keen-scented fox to sweep him out of the scene 

 and life together. The males fight like gamecocks, with 

 lowered head and outstretched necks, the feathers 

 rufifled and standing out in all directions. I doubt if 

 these battles ever terminate fatally to either combatant, 

 the weaker giving way to his conqueror and takinj^ 

 refuge in flight, recuperating his energies and both his 

 wounded body and spirit in the quiet retirement of the 

 deeper woods. 



Sabine's Grouse is never found in large flocks, but 

 each family keeps by itself, and they feed upon all kinds 

 of seeds, insects, berries, nuts, leaves, and buds, and the 

 flesh is white and palatable save in the winter, when it 

 is often bitter, occasionally flavored with turpentine from 

 eating the buds of the fir tree. Nidification takes place 

 from April to June, the time somewhat depending on the 

 locality, and the eggs range from six to ten, perhaps 

 occasionally exceeding the latter number. They re- 

 semble those of other Ruffed Grouse and vary in a simi- 

 lar manner, and the nest is the usual cavity in the 

 ground, lined with almost anything lying about, such as 

 dead leaves and grass, or needles of the spruce or pine. 



It is a large bird, and possesses all the game qualities 

 of its race, but from the localities it frequents can be 

 rarely hunted with well-broken dogs satisfactorily. 



