THE RUFFED GROUSE. 287 
Quail of this continent would seem to be its equivalent ; 
being as it were a connecting link between the European 
Quail, and the Partridge of Europe. 
The Ruffed Grouse ranges over a very wide portion of 
the United States and British provinces, from the 5ist 
degree of north latitude to the Atlantic sea-board, 
although it is much more scarce in the Southern States 
than in the midland and northern regions. It is remark- 
able also that it varies exceedingly in color ; those to the 
northward being comparatively dull and gray, to those 
of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and more genial regions. 
The distinctive feature, whence this bird derives his 
title of Lugfed Grouse, is the tuft or tippet of jet-black 
feathers, glossed with metallic hues, which are shown 
more or less distinctly in each of the figures in the 
wood-cut at the head of this paper, but the most decided- 
ly in the cock-bird, represented as standing on a fallen 
log, in the act of drumming, with these ruffs elevated, 
and his tail erected and expanded after the manner of a 
Turkey or Peacock, in the season of his amorous phan- 
tasies. : 
This drumming, a sound sufficiently familiar to all 
ears accustomed to the sights and noises of the forest, is 
no less than the call of the male bird to his harem of 
attendant wives; for the Ruffed Grouse, unlike our 
pretty, constant, and domestic Quail, selects himself no 
one fond partner, whom to cheer with his loved notes, to 
comfort and amuse during the breeding season, but 
