GROUSE— PTARMIGAN 89 



view. In winter scales grow out from the sides of 

 the toes, enabling the bird to walk on soft snow. 



In the spring the male Ruffed Grouse goes through 

 with the curious performance known as "drumming." 

 Standing upon some convenient log, he raises his tail 

 to the fullest extent and spreads out the ruffs at the 

 sides of his neck, at the same time beating the air with 

 his wings, quickening the strokes until they move with 

 lightning-like rapidity, producing a curious rumbling 

 sound much like that of a drum. This is done for 

 the edification of his mate, who stands watching the 

 performance with apparent indifference. 



The Pinnated and the Sharp-tailed Grouse are 

 found in many parts of the Middle West, and the 

 name "Prairie Chicken" is somewhat vaguely ap- 

 plied to both in different sections. These birds, too, 

 have singular actions at the mating season, at such 

 times inflating and exhausting the large orange- 

 coloured sacs at the sides of the throat and raising the 

 tail high over the back. 



Other well-known species are the Sage Grouse, a 

 very large form, but one whose flesh is not especially 

 prized, the Canada Grouse, and the Dusky Grouse, 

 found in various parts of the coimtry. 



The Ptarmigan is another species of the Grouse 

 family found in the northern parts of America and 

 Europe. This bird has a most remarkable system of 

 protective colouration adapted to each season of the 

 year. In winter, when the ground is covered with 

 snow, the plumage is white ; as spring approaches, this 

 is gradually replaced by a brownish coat, which is 

 worn until the autumn, when the moult again takes 



