Ruffed Grouse. 231 
birds are to be seen to the best advantage, and in the greatest 
numbers. West of the Mississippi, if we exclude Eastern 
Kansas, Southern Iowa and the whole of Missouri, they 
occur, if at all, in comparatively small and isolated parties. 
In regions which these Grouse inhabit, they are perma- 
nent residents, and are never known to move southward with 
the retreat of warm weather. They are capable of adapting 
themselves to climatic variations with ease, but not so readily 
to surface irregularities and their natural concomitants. 
Dense woods, craggy mountain-sides and the borders of 
streams are noted places of resort. Lowlands, especially 
such as are invested with thick growths of small bushes 
and tall, rank grasses, are not infrequently chosen. When 
in search of food and gravel, they are known to quit their 
favorite haunts and betake themselves to the open road, 
where groups may be seen absorbed in feeding, but not to 
that extent, however, when the rustle of a moving leaf or the 
crackling of a twig would pass unnoticed. The slightest 
noise causes a temporary suspension of labor and a moment. 
ary shudder of surprise. All of a sudden, and in the most 
perfect harmony, all heads are raised and pointing in the 
direction whence the noise emanated. The keen vision of 
these birds is not slow in discerning, through the gloomy 
recesses, the presence of danger; but should nothing of an 
alarming nature manifest itself, a short parley ensues and 
business is resumed, though not with the same earnestness 
and lack of care, however, as before. Greater caution is now 
observable, and every effort taken to prevent an ambuscade. 
But let the cause of the alarm, a dog or a man, be close at 
hand, and the birds immediately strike for the cover, either 
on foot or by means of flight, the latter method only being 
adopted in extreme cases, when the other course would be 
attended by disaster and probable ruin. In the exercise of 
their cursorial powers, they move with remarkable swiftness, 
as with head depressed and tail expanded they run for their 
lives. A pile of brushwood or an impenetrable jungle, when 
