A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE 

 DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS 



Official Organ of the Audubon Societics 



Vol. VI May — June, 1904 No. 3 



A Tame Ruffed Grouse''' 



By CARLTON D. HOWE 



With photographs from nature 



WHILE at my home in Newfane, Vermont, last summer, reports 

 came to me that a farmer in the neighborhood had upon his farm 

 a Ruffed Grouse that was comparatively tame. Of course, being 

 interested in this report, I interviewed Mr. Rand, the farmer, and received 

 from him the following facts: In August, 1902, while picking blackberries, 

 he discovered a flock of seven young Grouse about half grown. They 

 remained near by, within twenty or thirty feet, for an hour or so, showing 

 little evidence of fear. The parent bird was not seen. 



About the first of the next October, while Mr. Rand was picking 

 apples, he was surprised to see a Rufifed Grouse walk out of the bushes 

 and come up under the tree where he was at work. The bird did not 

 appear afraid, but much interested in what the farmer was doing, walking 

 around him and observing him from all sides, finally hopping on the wall, 

 as if to superintend the apple-gathering. The bird stayed with the farmer 

 at least two hours, and when he went away he left it under the tree. 



In the following spring, while working in the field, Mr. Rand noticed 

 a Grouse following his farm -wagon. The bird was undoubtedly his old 

 friend, seeking to renew the acquaintance of the preceding fall. The 

 Grouse followed the wagon, perhaps fifty rods, until she came in sight o^ 

 the farm buildings, where she stopped and waited for the wagon to come 

 back again, and then accompanied the team down to the field. The 

 Grouse repeated this performance for several weeks. In fact, almost every 

 time the farm -wagon made its appearance in the field, the bird was on 

 hand to escort the team back and forth. 



As the Grouse continued to grow less shy, Mr. Rand conceived the 

 idea of making her tamer by offering her food and talking to her. The 

 bird very seldom ate any of the different kinds of food which he ofifered her. 



* Read before the third annual meeting of the Vermont Bird Club. January 22. 1904. 



