Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 



and in Canada as far north as the arctic timber line, where it lives a 

 secluded life among the trees— spruce, larches, and fir trees being 

 its favourites. 



As a game bird it is fairly well known, though its extreme 

 tameness renders it by no means an exciting quarry. So tame is 

 it that in some places it has been caught by means of a noose 

 attached to the end of a fishing-rod. During the breeding season 

 this bird drums, after the manner of the ruffed grouse. 



In Maine they breed in May. Incubation occupies 17 days. 



300. Ruffed Grouse: Bonasa umbellus (Linn.) 



Adult 3 — General colour yellowish brown or rusty ; upper parts 

 mottled with black and gray ; under parts light buff to 

 white or buffy white on the belly, with irregular dark mot- 

 tled bars, which are more pronounced on the breast and at 

 the sides ; on either side of the neck are large tufts of black 

 feathers, which may be distended at will. 



Adult ? — Somewhat lighter than the 3 , and with very small 

 tufts on the neck. Length — 17.00. 



Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States, from the higher 

 regions of Georgia northward. 



The nest is on the ground, usually at the base of a tree, 

 sometimes against a fallen log or under a bush. It is made of 

 dead leaves with a few feathers, and is either very shallow or 

 fully five inches deep inside. From 8 to 14 and rarely 16 eggs are 

 laid ; they are creamy white, often much stained, and sometimes 

 speckled with brown. Size — 1.56 x 1.13. 



Under the different names of RuflFed Grouse, Pheasant, and 

 Partridge this bird is well known to all sportsmen as perhaps the 

 finest of our Eastern game birds. Its extraordinary habit of 

 drumming has been the cause of many a surprise, and even of 

 fright, to the novice, who, not knowing whence the sound pro- 

 ceeded, has attributed it to all sorts of wild and ferocious animals. 

 That it is really made by a bird is hard to believe. The sound is 

 made by the rapid striking of the wings either against the sides 

 of the body or against the air (this is a much-disputed question) 

 while the bird is standing on a fallen tree or a low bush ; and 

 though this is the mating call, it may be heard throughout the 

 shooting season in Maine and probably elsewhere. 



S3 



