BONASA UMBELLA : RUFFED GROUSE. 1 55 



In the greater part of May, and early in June, you may 

 find the nest in the woods, oftenest in low swampy 

 places or tangled undergrowth, at the foot of a bush or 

 stump, or alongside of a prostrate log. It is a rude 

 domicile, — merely a slight hollow in the ground, lined 

 with some leaves or a little grass or moss. The eggs 

 are characteristic of the species, differing both in form 

 and color from those of most Grouse ; they approach 

 the pyriform contour — very broad and blunt at one end, 

 and sharp at the other — usually seen in Partridge 

 eggs, and also lack the heaviness of coloring common to 

 most Grouse's eggs, and at a maximum in those of Ptar- 

 migan. The eggs are creamy-colored, varying from pale, 

 creamy white to rich creamy-brown ; they may be im- 

 maculate, or scarcely dotted in fine points only, though 

 they sometimes have small round spots of pale chocolate- 

 brown set in amongst countless minute dots. In number 

 they range from 8 or lo to a dozen or more, according to 

 the age and vigor of the parents or other circumstances ; 

 and in size they measure about one -and two-thirds by 

 one and a fourth inches. They are said to be deposited 

 'at intervals of twenty-four hours till the set is completed, 

 and to hatch in about eighteen days from the beginning 

 of incubation. The young begin to ramble about as 

 soon as they are hatched, like little chickens, and in fact 

 like all the " prascocial " GallincB and Grallatores ; the 

 mother leads them in paths of peace and pleasantness, 

 as well as she can judge, where food is most abundant, 

 and shelter from enemies is most likely to be secured — 

 the thickest cover of tangle, where the ground is 

 springy, being the favorite resort. She is motherly in 

 the extreme ; her maternal devotion is not seldom 

 proven by the vigilance and address she displays to get 



