602 AVES—RUFFED GROUSE. 
antis found in America. The ruffed grouse is known in almost every quar- 
ter of the United States, and appears to inhabit a very extensive range of 
country. Its favorite places of resort are high mountains covered with the 
balsam, pine, hemlock, and such like evergreens. Unlike the pinnated 
grouse, it always prefers the woods ; is seldom or never found in open plains ; 
but loves the pine sheltered declivities of mountains near streams of water. 
In the lower parts of Georgia, Carolina, and Florida, they are very seldom 
observed; but as we advance inland to the mountains, they again make 
their appearance. 
The manners of the ruffed grouse are solitary; they are seldom found in 
coveys of more than four or five together, and more usually in pairs or singly. 
They leave the woods early in the morning, and seek the path or road, to 
pick up gravel, and glean among the droppings of the horses. If the weather 
be foggy or lowering, they are sure of being found in such situations. They 
generally move along with great stateliness, their broad fan-like tail spread 
out. The drumming, as it is generally called, of the pheasant, is another 
singularity of this species. This is performed by the male alone. Itisa 
kind of thump, like that produced by two full blown ox bladders being struck 
together ; the strokes at first are low and distinct, but gradually increase in 
rapidity till they run into each other. This may be heard half a mile off, 
and is produced in the following manner.—The bird standing on an old pros- 
trate log, lowers his wings, erects his tail, contracts his throat, elevates the 
two tufts of feathers on his neck, and inflates his whole body somewhat in 
the manner of the turkey cock, strutting and wheeling about with great 
stateliness. After a few mancuvres of this kind, he begins to strike with 
his stiffened wings in short and quick strokes, which become more and 
more rapid as has been described. This is, most common in the morning 
and evening; and by this means the gunner is led to the place of his re- 
treat. 7 
The bird springs within a few yards, with a loud whizzing sound, and 
flies with great vigor through the woods beyond reach of view before it 
alights. They are exceedingly fond of the seeds of grapes, and eat chesnuts, 
blackberries, and ants. In the fall they feed on whortleberries and partridge 
berries, the last of which give their flesh a peculiar and delicate flavor. 
During winter they eat the buds of the alder and laurel. At this time their 
flesh is unwholesome. 
The ruffed grouse is eighteen inches long. The upper parts of the pody 
are of a bright rust color, marked with spots of white. The under parts are 
white, and the tail beautifully marked with black. There is a tuft of large 
black feathers on each side of the neck, which it occasionally raises. 
