AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 359 



ly at us from bunches of pond-scum, and many-colored dragon-fiies 

 poised on shimmering wings. The brook flowed in winding curves 

 through the woods, and being unmolested by intruders, the birds and 

 other forest creatures were quite abundant. 



Now we were allowed sight of a bird rare in this locality — the Horn- 

 ed Grebe, or water-witch. In this instance it certainly earned its popu- 

 lar name, for it played us a neat trick. When we approached, it dove 

 beneath the surface and swam for nearly a hundred yards before ap- 

 pearing. This was repeated until we gave up our attempts to get 

 nearer. 



Soon after this we heard a prolonged clucking call and noticed a 

 long-tailed, pigeon-like bird. A glance at the under side of its lengthy 

 caudal appendage, revealing white spots, showed it to be a yellow-bill- 

 ed cuckoo. He was perched on a sapling, eating a small caterpillar, 

 and so absorbed was he that the canoe glided quite close. I could 

 have touched him with my paddle, and when disturbed he flew only a 

 few yards. Much has been written about the cuckoo's shyness, but 

 this one was without trepidation, and I have seen a number of others 

 exhibiting the same characteristics. 



Cedar-birds were plentiful — there were nearly as many as in May or 

 June, when large flocks visit the head-waters of the lake. How soft 

 and silky these waxy-winged beauties look, yet what a disappointment 

 that they have no song. 



Shallow water now warned us that futher progress would be perilous 

 to the sides of our frail craft, so reversing our stroke we were soon at 

 the boat-house, and our little canoe trip was at an end. We had a bi- 

 cycle ride of four miles before us, however, and on the way home we 

 saw the following birds: Flicker, Robin, Crow, Phoebe, Catbird, Song- 

 sparrow, Bluebird, Sparrow and Marsh Hawks, and Least Flycatcher. 



Though not an unusual number of birds had been seen, we had both 

 enjoyed the afternoon, and had at least learned some interesting things 

 about the September birds. 



A RARE PET. 



A druggist here who is very fond of pets, and has many kinds, has 

 now added to his list a Ruffed Grouse, (Tetrao umbellus). The bird 

 is a full grown female and was captured in a strange manner. It was 

 seen by a boy to go under some small evergreens and brush, and as 

 she did not go out as he approached the place, his curiosity led him to 

 put his hand into the brush to see what had become of her, and as he 

 did so she stepped into his hand. He carried her home and let her go 

 in the barn. The next day as they were working around the barn, she 

 went out through one of the doors which they had left open and flew 

 down to the woods back of the house, and they thought they had last 

 her, but she was not gone more than two hours before she returned 

 and entered the barn, then they closed the door and caught her and 

 took her to this druggist who has had her nearly two months. She 

 seems no wilder than a hen, and allows one to handle her as he would 

 a pet bantam. This is the first time I ever saw a tame grouse, and I 

 did not suppose they could be tamed. Has any reader of this maga- 

 zine known of a similar case? calvin c. manley, Miiton, vt. 



