THE RUFFED GROUSE. 289 
has proved himself to be, should fall into the strange 
error of speaking of this singular amorous sound as a 
call to a single female; and elsewhere of the Pheasant, 
as he erroneously calls it, pairing ; when it is notorious 
to all who have closely observed the habits of this bird, 
that it is polygamous. Such, I believe, will be found 
the case with all those gallinaceous birds which have an 
especial summons, or peculiar display of attitudes, airs, 
and splendors by which to attract the females; as may 
be observed of the common Game-cock, the Turkey, the 
Peacock, and the European Pheasant ; no one of which 
takes to himself an especial and chosen partner, but 
disports himself in his wanton seraglio. 
On many occasions, during this particular season, 
I have stolen up to within a few yards of the log, 
whereon the Ruffed Grouse was so busily employed in 
summoning his dames and demoiselles around him, that 
he had no ears or eyes for my approach, which at any 
other period he would have discovered long before, and 
whirred away tumultuous on terrified and sounding 
pinions. I have lain concealed, for an hour at a time, 
watching with intense gratification the beautiful and 
animated gestures of the cock, now strutting and drum- 
ming on his log, proud as an eastern despot, now 
descending to caress and dally with his numerous Roxa- 
lanas, and then reascending to his post of pride, to send 
his resonant call far through the haunted echoes of the 
umbrageous pine-woods. On one such chance, I saw no 
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