Ruffed Grouse. 233 
Where there is a paucity of food-materials, such as acorns, 
the seeds of the beech and of the various species of birch, they 
do not hesitate to devour the buds of the mountain laurel, 
which impart a poisonous character to their flesh. When 
severely hunger-pressed they feed upon dry bark, the insects 
that harbor in the creviced trunks and branches of trees, and 
even stray to the roads that wander through their gloomy 
retreats and peck at the hard, frozen horse-droppings they 
chance to encounter. But when spring returns and renews 
her bond of faith with Mother Earth, they more than make 
up for their scanty winter fare and feast with fastidious appe- 
tites upon the now tender and juicy buds of the black birch, 
which give a peculiar and toothsome flavor to their flesh that 
has acquired for them in some localities the name of Birch 
Partridge. For a brief spell every other interest is now 
absorbed in that of unrestrained feasting, to which the sexes 
submit themselves with all the adandon of civilized humanity. 
The middle of March, or the close of the month dedicated 
by the ancient Romans to purifications and fastings, when 
the weather is favorable, marks a change in their life. This 
era is announced by a loud drumming noise, which is 
everywhere heard. Standing upon a tall rock or a prostrate 
log in some secluded woods or other locality, the author of 
this noise may be found. His attitude and demeanor needs 
must be seen to be appreciated. Once seen, he can never be 
forgotten. Arrayed in a brand-new spring suit, he is a 
being not to be despised. But this is not all. His beauti- 
fully-contracted neck, broad, expanded, fan-like tail and ele- 
vated feather-tufts that ornament both sides of his neck, as 
he struts about with all the grace and dignity of some 
pompous lord or duke, render him of no mean importance 
and greatly add to his attractions. 
But it is his final actions that impress the beholder with 
wonder and admiration. The hitherto trailing wings now 
assume a condition of rigidity, and commence a firm, but 
slow, downward and forward movement, which steadily 
