PINNATED GROUS. 493 



quential gestures, their looks of disdain, and their angry pride, as they 

 pass each other. Their tails are spread out and inclined forwards, to 

 meet the expanded feathers of their neck, which now, like stiffened frills, 

 lie supported by the globular orange-coloured receptacles of air, from 

 which their singular booming sounds proceed. Their wings, hke those 

 of the Turkey Cock, are stiffened and declined so as to rub and rustle on 

 the ground, as the bird passes rapidly along. Their bodies are depressed 

 towards the ground, the fire of their eyes evinces the pugnacious workings 

 of the mind, their notes fill the air around, and at the very first answer 

 from some coy female, the heated blood of the feathered warriors swells 

 every vein, and presently the battle rages. Like Game Cocks they strike, 

 and rise in the air to meet their assailants with greater advantage. Now 

 many close in the encounter ; feathers are seen whirling in the agitated 

 air, or falling around them tinged with blood. The weaker begin to give 

 way, and one after another seeks refuge in the neighbouring bushes. 

 The remaining few, greatly exhausted, maintain their ground, and with- 

 draw slowly and proudly, as if each claimed the honours of victory. The 

 vanquished and the victors then search for the females, who believing 

 each to have returned from the field in triumph, receive them with joy. 



It not unfrequently happens that a male already mated is suddenly 

 attacked by some disappointed rival, who unexpectedly pounces upon 

 him after a flight of considerable length, having been attracted by the 

 cacklings of the happy couple. The female invariably squats next to and 

 almost under the breast of her lord, while he, always ready for action, 

 throws himself on his daring antagonist, and chases him away never to 

 return. Such is the moment which I have attempted to represent in the 

 plate which you will find in the second volume of my " Illustrations." 



In such places in the Western country as I have described, the 

 " Prairie Hen" is heard "■' booming'" or " tooting" not only before break 

 of day, but frequently at all hours from morning until sunset ; but in 

 districts where these birds have become wild in consequence of the con- 

 tinual interference of man, they are seldom heard after sunrise, some- 

 times their meetings are noiseless, their battles are much less protracted 

 or of less frequent occurrence, and their beats or scratching grounds are 

 more concealed. Many of the young males have battles even in autumn, 

 when the females generally join, not to fight, but to conciliate them, in 

 the manner of the Wild Turkeys. 



