276 PINNATED GROUSE. 



are already perfectly acquainted with their classification and description. 

 In a short memoir written in 1803, and printed in the eighth volume of 

 the Medical Repository, I ventured an opinion as to 'the genus and 

 species. Whether 1 was correct is a technical matter, which I leave 

 you to adjust. I am well aware that European accounts of our pro- 

 ductions are often erroneous, and require revision and amendment. 

 This you must perform. For me it remains to repeat my joy at the 

 opportunity your invitation has afforded me to contribute somewhat to 

 your elegant work, and at the same time to assure you of my earnest 

 hope that you may be favored with ample means to complete it. 



"Samuel L. Mitchill. " 



Duly sensible of the honor of the foregoing communication, and 

 grateful for the good wishes with which it is concluded, I shall now, in 

 further elucidation of the subject, subjoin a few particulars properly 

 belonging to my own department. 



It is somewhat extraordinary that the European naturalists, in their 

 various accounts of our different species of Grouse, should have said 

 little or nothing of the one now before us, which in its voice, manners, 

 and peculiarity of plumage, is the most singular, and in its flesh the 

 most excellent, of all those of its tribe that inherit the territory of the 

 United States. It seems to have escaped Catesby during his residence 

 and different tours through this country, and it was not till more than 

 twenty years after his return to England, viz. in 1743, that he first 

 saw some of these birds, as he informs us, at Cheswick, the seat of 

 the Earl of Wilmington. His lordship said they came from America ; 

 but from what particular part could not tell.* Buffon has confounded 

 it with the Ruffed Grouse, the common Partridge of New England, or 

 Pheasant of Pennsylvania ( To,trao umbellus) ; Edwards and Pennant 

 have, however, discovered that it is a different species ; but have said 

 little of its note, of its flesh, or peculiarities ; for, alas ! there was 

 neither voice nor action, nor delicacy of flavor in the shrunk and 

 decayed skin from which the former took his figure, and the latter his 

 description ; and to this circumstance must be attributed the barrenness 

 and defects of both. 



That the curious may have an opportunity of examining to more ad- 

 vantage this singular bird, a figure of the male is here given as large as 

 life, drawn with great care from the most perfect of several elegant 

 specimens shot in the Barrens of Kentucky. He is represented in the 

 act of strutting, as it is called, while with inflated throat he produces 

 that extraordinary sound so familiar to every one who resides in his 

 vicinity, and which has been described in the foregoing account. So 



* Catesb. Car. p. 101, App. 



