GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



193 



but readily avails itself of the plentiful supplies of food to be found there. This species is more 



strictly confined to the ground than any other of its kindred, and seldom ascends the trees or 



bushes except in search of fruits or berries, or when pressed by severe weather. In winter these 



birds go on expeditions which have been called migrations, but though these occur with some 



regularity, their only object is to seek for favourable feeding-places. Even these short journeyings 



are not always undertaken, but take place in certain winters, so that many sportsmen are under 



the impression that these birds are non-migratory. This species is less elegant than the Ruffled 



Grouse, its walk resembling that of the Common Hen, although it carries its head more erect 



If surprised it rises at once ; but if it perceives the sportsmen from a distance and the spot 



around it clear, it runs off swiftly to the next high grass, there to conceal itself till danger is past 



Audubon describes these birds as running rapidly with wings partially expanded, until suddenly 



meeting with a large clod they stop, squat, and disappear in a moment. At noon they may be 



seen near to each other dusting themselves and trimming their feathers. \Vlien the mother of a 



brood is discovered with her young, she ruffles up her feathers and tries every art to allure you from 



the place. On the larger branches of trees these birds walk with ease ; but on smaller ones balance 



themselves with their wings. They usually roost singly on little risings of the ground, and a few feet 



apart Their flight is strong, regular, tolerably rapid, and at times prolonged to several miles distance. 



" The Pinnated Grouse," says Audubon, " moves through the air with frequent beats, after which 



it sails with the wings bent downwards, balancing itself for a hundred yards or more, as if to watch 



the movements of its pursuer, for at this time they can be easily observed to look behind them as 



they proceed. They never rise when disturbed without uttering four or five distinct clucks, although 



at other times they fly off in silence. The ordinary voice of this species nearly resembles that of our 



domestic fowls, but during the pairing season the male utters a pecuHar call. 



" The curious notes," continues the same ^vriter, " emitted in the love season are peculiar to the 

 male. When the receptacles of air above alluded to, which in form, colour, and size resemble a 

 small orange, are perfectly inflated, the bird lowers its head to the ground, opens its bill, and sends 

 forth, as it were, the air contained in these bladders in distinctly-separated notes, rolling one after 

 another, from loud to low, and producing a sound like that of a large, muffled drum. This done, the 

 bird immediately erects itself, refills its receptacles by inhalation, and again proceeds with its 

 ' tootings.'" Audubon observed in those Prairie Hens he tamed, that after producing the noise the 

 bags lost their rotundity and assumed the appearance of a burst bladder, but in a few seconds became 

 again inflated. He caught one of these birds and pierced the air-cells with the point of a pin, after 

 which it was unable to " toot" any more. Another bird, of which he punctured one cell only, was 

 unable to inflate that one, but next morning could toot with the other, though not so loudly as before. 

 As soon as the pairing and fighting season is over, the bladders collapse and are concealed beneath 

 the feathers of the ruff". During the -winter they are much reduced in size. The bladders and long 

 neck-feathers are seen on the young males before the first winter, and in the spring attain maturity, 

 but they increase in size and beauty for several years. 



These birds live both on vegetable food and on insects. During the sowing season they visit 

 corn-fields of various kinds, where they do considerable damage. They feed on die barberr)-, and 

 various other berries growing on low shrubs, on buds of various plants, and on acorns. " In the 

 western country," says Audubon, " these birds frequent the sumach bushes to feed on their seeds, 

 often in such numbers that I have seen them bent by their weight, and I have counted more 

 than fifty on a single apple-tree, the buds of which they entirely destroyed in a few hours. They 

 also alight on high forest trees on the margins of large rivers. During winter these Grouse 

 congregate in large flocks, but as soon as the snows have melted awa)-, and the first blades of grass 

 VOL. III. — 104 



