5." i 
200 Mr. Peabody on the 
ad their season, the acorns of dwarf oaks, and the buds 
and leaves of trees. In summer, they pick whortle- 
berries and cranberries, and sometimes venture into 
a field to pick the leaves of clover. It is said, that, 
sometimes in winter, when they are hard pressed 
with hunger, they will feed on the buds of the pine. 
They are also known, under those circumstances, to 
join the domestic poultry. 
The footing, for which these birds are remarkable, 
is produced by means of the air bags at the side. 
When these, resembling a small orange, are inflated, 
the bird lowers its head, opens its bill, and sends 
forth the air contained in these receptacles, in a suc- 
cession of rolling notes, like those of a muffled drum. 
In parts of the country where the birds are become 
few and wild, this sound is seldom made after sun- 
rise, and sometimes the battles of the rival males 
are carried on in silence, and the scratching grounds 
carefully concealed. 
The nest is built in May, with dry leaves and 
. grasses, interwoven, and is carefully placed amidst 
^ . the tall grass of a large tuft, where it is not often 
discovered. The eggs, from eight to twelve in num- 
ber, resemble those of the preceding species, though 
somewhat larger in size. - The female sits nearly 
three weeks, and as soon as the young are hatched, 
leads them away from the nest. When surprised, 
they conceal themselves, like young partridges, and 
one may search for them in vain, though perhaps he 
is treading them under his feet. In autumn, the 
different families associate together, sometimes in 
r large parties. Their most dangerous enemies A 
ae 
