SCUATCHERS: GROUSE AND QUAILS. 



GROUSE. 



The Prairie Chicken, Euffed Grouse, Ptarmigans, &c. 

 come under this head. 



The Prairie Cliicken is about as large as a common 

 hen, and the male has an air-sack on each side of the 

 neck by which it is able to produce a loud booming 

 sound. The Ruffed Grouse, or Partridge, of the United 

 States is rather smaller than the common hen, and has 

 a beautifully barred and spotted plumage. This bird 

 prefers open woods and the borders of forests, and in 



rig. 142 a. — EufFed Grouse. 



winter thickets of evergreens. Wlien disturbed it takes 

 wing with a loud whir. In the spring the male, while 

 standing upon an old log, makes a loud sound with his 

 wings, which is called drumming. The female makes 

 her nest of leaves upon the ground, and lays a dozen or 

 more dingy-white eggs. 



