RUFTED GROUSE. 431 
acquainted, only these two, the Ruffed and Pmnated Grouse, found 
native within the United States. 
The manners of the Pheasant are solitary; they are seldom found 
in covers of more than four or five together, ard more usually in pairs, 
or singly. They leave the:> sequestered haunts in the woods early in 
the morning, and seek the path or road, to pick up gravel. and glean 
among the droppinzs of the horses. In travelling among the mountains 
that bound tae Susquehanna, I wes clways able to furnish myself with 
an abundant supply of these birds every morning without leaving the 
path. If the weather be forzv, or lowering, they are sure to be seen 
in such situations. They generally move along with great siateli- 
ness, their broad, fan-like tail spread out in the manner exhibited in 
the drawing. The drumming, as it is usually called, of the Pheasant, 
is another singularity of this species. This is performe} by the male 
alone. In wa:ksing through solitary woods, frequented by thes: birds, 
a stranger is surprised by suddeniy hearing a kind of thumping, very 
similar to that produced by striking two full-blown ox-bladders to- 
gether, but much louder: the strokes at first are slow and distinct: 
but gradually increase in rapidity, till they run into each other, resem- 
bling the rumbling sound of very distant thunder, dying avay grad- 
ually on the ear. Arter a few minutes’ cause, this is azzin repeated, 
and, in a calm dzy. may be heard nearly half a mile of This drum- 
ming is most common in spring. and is the call of the cock to his 
favorite female. I: is produced in the following manner: The bird, 
standing on an old, prostrate log, generally in a retired and sheltered 
situation, lowers his wings, erects his expanded tail, contracts his 
throat, elevates the two tufts of feathers on the neck, and inflates his 
whole body, something in the manner of the Turkey Cock, strutting 
and wheeling about with crzat stateliness. After a few manceuvres 
of this kind, he begins to strike with his stiffened wings in short and 
quick strokes, which become more and more rapid until they run into 
each other. as hs been already described. This is most common in 
the morning and evening. though I have heard them drumming at all 
hours of the dav. By means of this, the gunner is led fo the place of 
his retreat: though. to those unacquainted with the sound, there is 
great deception in the supposed distance, it generally appearing to be 
much nearer than it really is.* 
The Pheasant begins to pair in April, and ouilds its nest early in 
May. This is placed on the ground, at the root of a bush, old log, or 
* Mr. Audubon confirms the correctness of Wilson’s comparisca of the drum- 
ming noise produced by this bird. He mentions having often called them within 
shot by imitating the sound, which he accomplished “ by beating a large, inflated 
bullock’s bladder with a stick, keeping up as much as possible the same time as 
that in which the bird beats. At the sound produced by the bladder and the stick, 
the male Grouse. inflamed with jealousy, has fown directly t: wards me, when, be- 
ing prepared, I have easily shat it. An equally suecessfal stratagem is employed 
to decoy the males of our Lite Partridge. by ‘mitatnz the call-note of the female 
during spring and summer: but in no instance, alter repeated trials. have I been 
able to entice the Pinnated Grouse :0 come towards me, whilst imitating the boom- 
ins sounds of that bird.” 
Most game are very easiy called by those expert at imitating sounds. Grouse 
are often called by poachers, and Partridges may be brought near by a quill and 
horse-hair. Many of the Tringe and Totani are easily whisded. — Ep. 
3 
a (aaner ae alee aes 
