86 UPLAND SHOOTING. 



and the sound becomes a roar, which is continned for 

 perhaps five seconds, when it is gradually decreased in 

 volume, and brought to an end by a shortening of strokes 

 rather than by diminishing the speed of the wings. 



Many theories are advanced as to the exact manner of 

 producing this peculiar sound, but that it has a ventril- 

 oquial power, in seeming equally loud and distinct at the 

 distances of 150 feet and 150 yards, everyone who has 

 stalked a drumming bird will acknowledge. 



Long ago, this woodland music was thought to result 

 from wing-strokes upon a hollow log, but it is now con- 

 ceded by the majority of close observers to be due to the 

 rapid movement of the stiffened wings, which strike 

 neither the body nor the foot- rest of the bird. The hollow 

 log theory exploded when it became known that the bird 

 drummed occasionally when standing upon rocks, roots, 

 and mounds. Many experienced ornithologists claim that 

 the sound is made by beating the wings against the body; 

 others, by striking the shoulder-points together over the 

 back; while a few insist upon its being "the conjoint 

 action of the muscular force of the wings and the inferior 

 larynx, which' is the special avian organ of sound." 

 These theories seem to fall before the shafts of " Archer," 

 who, in the Chicago Field for October, 1878, relates 

 his experience with a pet canary, which learned to drum 

 while drying its feathers after a bath, and subsequently 

 kejpt up the habit, when dry, for the applause he received. 

 "When drumming while perched upon the hand, the 

 wings failed to touch the body or the perch, and a finger 

 held over the back showed conclusively that they did 

 not touch above; yet the drumming was in exact imita- 

 tion of the grouse, partaking even of the ventriloqiiial 

 effect. 



Before drumming in the spring of the year, the 

 male marches pompously back and forth upon his perch. 



