ORDER gallinm:. 2.51 



and inhabit the interior of the thickest woods, especially 

 where pines and fir-trees are mixed with birch and hazel, on 

 the buds, &c. of which they feed during winter ; in summer 

 their aliment is varied with other vegetable matter, but 

 berries and insects are peculiarly indispensable to them. 

 Towards the end of March or the commencement of April, 

 reproduction begins ; the male seeks a single female, and 

 when she is fecundated, he quits her, and lives in solitude 

 until autumn, when the coveys are recruited. The female 

 makes her nest in the thickest and most retired parts of the 

 forest, and covers the eggs with grass, &c., when obliged to 

 quit them ; they are generally from ten to sixteen, and incu- 

 bation lasts three weeks. 



This species is found as far north as Lapland and Siberia ; 

 in Russia, Sweden, and the north of Germany. The flesh is 

 very exquisite eating. 



The Spotted Grous (Tetrao Canadensis) abounds in the 

 countries near Hudson's Bay, inhabiting by preference plains 

 and low situations ; the same species, however, in other 

 regions, choose more elevated stations, and even the tops of 

 mountains. In Canada it is called a partridge. In Nova 

 Scotia it is abundant, and seems pretty generally spread 

 throughout all North America, where it constitutes a useful 

 article of food. It is preserved by the frost in winter. 



The Pintado Grous is another native of the cold regions of 

 North America ; and is very abundant in Long Island. The 

 eggs are numerous, and the birds live in small families during 

 the autumn; but on the commencement of winter, unite in great 

 bands of two hundred and more. They pass the winter in 

 pine forests. About half an hour before sun-rise the voice of 

 the male is heard, and he then elevates and spreads out the 

 feathers with which his neck is ornamented. 



The Ruffed Grous also belongs to North America. In 

 the time of reproduction, the male raises the long feathers of 



