158 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 
a terse and truthful manner. Should a female answer 
the roll-call, instead of a fierce rival, how different is the 
meeting between the pair. On approaching the drum- 
ming log she moves cautiously, yet steadily, and indulges 
in the most coquettish antics. Looking as demure and 
indifferent as possible, she pecks listlessly at the leaves, 
scratches up imaginary worms and seeds, and dawdles on 
the way; but the booming music still lures her on until 
she reaches the residence of the drummer, but even there 
she feigns to be totally unconscious of his presence and 
to see insects on every leaf or blade of grass. The gal- 
lant musician, on seeing this russet dame, swells with 
pride; he raises his ruff, expands his erect tail, droops 
his wings until they sweep the log, and parades before 
her in all his pomp and glory. She lifts her mild- 
brown eyes, in which the forest is reflected, to gaze 
on his bold mien and gaudy raiment, and when he sees 
that she admires him he greets her with clucks of wel- 
come, and, after giving her some more music, descends 
from his throne, salutes her, and both live happily until 
the nesting season is over, unless some rival should ar- 
rive on the scene and kick him away before he has been 
accepted for better or worse. 
When the birds have paired, the hen builds a nest on 
the ground with twigs and grass, and lays ten or twelve 
eggs of a creamy-brown color in it. If these are hatched 
out she is content, but if they are destroyed she seeks 
the male and lays another set. This is why so many 
weak young birds are to be seen in October, when the 
early broods are as well able to take care of themselves as 
their parents. The habits of the hen when running with 
her chicks are most interesting to study. She is cease- 
less in her activity, sagacious in finding food, bold and 
ready of stratagem in danger, and daring in her efforts 
to protect her little brood from all harm. When her 
fears are aroused, she clucks a prompt note of alarm 
