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Figure 94. One must study his birds quietly, avoiding quick motions and 

 keeping all his senses alert. View in oak and sassafras woods 

 west of Wolf Run. Photo by H. R. Francis 318 



Figure 95. A drumming log. The usual log is an old mossy trunk that lies 



flat on the ground 357 



Figure 96. In drumming, the forceful, sound-producing blow is the outward 



and upward motion of the wings 357 



Figure 97. The whirring of the " muffled drum." The picture is from an 

 exposure of about 7 seconds, covering half of a drumming per- 

 formance, beginning with the first wing-beat 358 



Figure 98. A snapshot made between wing-beats early in the drumming. 

 The wings hang limp for an instant, before the next upward 

 stroke 358 



Figure 99. When about to drum the Grouse usually sets his feet carefully. 

 Note the movement of the bird's left foot; the motions suggest 

 a cat " making bread." 361 



Figure 100. The bird is likely to turn around once or twice, as if bent on 



trying a new direction — which he wont !.- 361 



Figure 101. Turning around before drumming. Although the Grouse seem 

 to ' ' consider ' ' facing a different direction to drum, they cus- 

 tomarily face the same way on any given log 362 



Figure 102. The drumming now begins in earnest, following the first slow, 

 almost noiseless strokes. This Grouse always faced west on 

 log No. 1 when drumming 362 



Figure 103. The same Grouse faced east on log No. 2 when drumming. The 



picture shows him about to begin the performance 365 



Figure 104. With the first preliminary wing-beat the body of the drummer 

 snaps into a more upright pose. Note the characteristic 

 lifting of the neck feathers at this stage 365 



Figure 105. Pausing, as if listening for the response or echo. The drumming 



has just ended 366 



Figure 106. The drumming has just ended. Note the " mussed up" appear- 

 ance of the bird, and the tail as it is characteristically raised 

 at this juncture 366 



Figure 107. After an interval of feeding, he is soon back again looking very 



trim and alert as he hops to the top of the log 369 



Figure 108. Headquarters of the author in 192 1 while studying drumming 

 Grouse. The tent is of canvas, painted dull green, and about 

 6 feet long 369 



Figure 109. Blind No. 2 as seen from the rear. A breastwork of brush, pine 



boughs and birch bark 370 



Figure no. Blind No. 3 from the rear. An old stump hollowed out and 



remodeled as a screen for photographing and studying Grouse. 370 



Figure 1 1 1 . A drumming Grouse interrupted and alarmed by the click of the 



camera during a performance 373 



Figure 112. After a time the noise of the camera shutter was regarded only 

 with an inquiring stare, and soon forgotten in the interest 

 awakened by the next small wood- noise 373 



Figure 113. Deceived by the ruse of thumping on the ground the Grouse 

 hopped upon the log and appeared to look around for the sup- 

 posed usurper of his throne 374 



Figure 114. On a rainy day. The drummer seemed as peevish as a wet hen, 



shaking himself vigorously and preening 374 



Figure 115. Just after the drumming. The tail still raised, but gradually 



falling back to normal 377 



Figure 116. Strutting. In this case the bird stopped in the midst of drum- 

 ming, assumed this strutting attitude, and walked a foot or 

 two back and forth 377 



