GROUSE 3 



name Wood Hen to this Grouse of our forests. To flush 

 a Grouse in the quiet of the woods always makes the 

 "heart jump." His whirring wings not only produce the 

 roar which accompanies his flight, but they are also 

 responsible for the "drumming" which constitutes the 

 Grouse's song as sitting upright on some favorite log, he 

 rapidly beats the air with his wings. 



The horny fringes which in winter border the toes of 

 the Grouse, or Partridge, as he is also called, form in 

 effect snow-shoes which help to support the bird on soft 

 snow. At this season they also feed in trees on buds and 

 catkins, and they may roost in trees or seek a bed by 

 plunging into a snow-bank. 



The nest, lined with leaves, is placed at the base of a tree 

 or stump; the 8-14 buffy eggs are laid in May. 



The Canada Ruffed Grouse (B. u. togata), of northern 

 New England and northwards is grayer above and more 

 distinctly barred below. 



PRAIRIE CHICKEN 

 Tympanuchus americanus 



The Prairie Hen has a rounded or nearly square tail and a 

 barred breast; in the Sharp-tailed Grouse the tail is pointed, 

 the breast with V-shaped markings. L. 18. 



Range. Central Plains region from Texas to Manitoba, east 

 to Indiana. Migratory at its northern limits. 



Glen Ellyn, P. R. local, S. E. Minn., P. R. much decreased in 

 numbers. 



The Ruffed Grouse sounds his rolling, muffled drum- 

 call in the seclusion of the forest, but the Prairie Hen beats 

 his loud boom-ah-boom in the open freedom of the plains. 

 Hardy and strong of wing, he can cope with winter storms 

 and natural enemies, but against the combined assault of 

 man, dog, and gun, he cannot successfully contend. 



About a dozen buff -olive eggs are laid on the ground in 

 April or early May. 



