194 CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



issue from the earth, announcing the approach of spring, tliey separate into parties of fifty or 

 more, their love season commences, and a spot is pitched upon to which they daily resort until 

 incubation is established. Inspired by love, the male birds, before the first glimpse of day lightens 

 the horizon, fly swiftly and singly from their grassy beds to meet, to challenge, and to fight the 

 various rivals led by the same impulse to the arena. The male is at this season arrayed in his 

 full dress, and enacts his part in a manner not surpassed in pomposity by any other bird. Imagine 

 them assembled to the number of twenty by daybreak ; see them all strutting in presence of each 

 other ; mark their consequential 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 stuffed frills, lie supported by the globular, orange-coloured receptacles of air from 

 which their singular booming sounds proceed. Their wings, like those of the Turkey Cock, are 

 stiffened, and declined so as to rub and ru-stle 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 their 

 minds, 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 seek refuge in the neiglibouring bushes. 

 The remaining few, greatly exhausted, maintain their ground, and withdraw 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 

 cackling 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." 



In tracts of land in the western country, the Pinnated Grouse may be heard booming and 

 tooting before break of day, and at all hours afterwards until sunset ; but in those districts v/here 

 they have been frequently annoyed by that intruder, man, their meetings are more noiseless, their 

 battles shorter and less frequent, and their fighting-grounds more concealed. Many of the young 

 males fight in the autumn, the females generally joining them to make peace. 



The nest is made earlier or later, according to the latitude of the place, between the beginning 

 of April and the end of May. Audubon found a nest in Kentucky finished and containing a few 

 eggs at the first-mentioned date ; but he thinks, taking the difference of seasons into considera- 

 tion, that the average time is about the beginning of May. The nest, which is formed of dry 

 leaves and grass, neatly interwoven, is carefully placed amid the tall grass, or a large tuft in the open 

 ground, or at the foot of a bush. The eggs are from eight to twelve in number, and are of a light 

 colour. The mother sits upon the nest eighteen or nineteen days, and as soon as the young have 

 freed themselves, leads them away from the nest, when the male ceases to associate with her. In 

 autumn the families congregate together in flocks, which at the approach of winter consist of several 

 hundreds. When alarmed, the young squat so closely in the grass as to be quite hidden. " Once," 

 says Audubon, " my horse almost placed his foot on a covey that was in the path. I observed them, 

 and instantly leaped to the ground ; but, notwithstanding all my endeavours, the cunning mother 

 saved them by a single cluck. The little fellows rose on the wing for only a few yards. I spent 

 much time in search of them ; I could not discover one. I was greatly amused, however, by the arts 

 the mother employed to induce me to leave the spot where t'-.ey lay concealed." 



