SCRATCIIERS. 



101 



Grouse. 



The Prairie Chicken, RufTed Grouse, Ptarmigans, 

 etc., come under this head. 



The Prairie Chicken is about as large as a common 

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

 neck b)' 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 beautifull}' barred and spotted plumage. This Bird 

 prefers open woods and the borders of forests, and in 



RuHtd (ji jusc 



winter thickets of evergreens. When 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 



