132 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 
that one would scarcely have known it was the same 
bird. 
“T will describe as nearly as I can his conduct and at- 
titude while strutting. The tail stands almost erect, 
the wings are slightly raised from the body and a little 
drooped, the head is still well up, and the feathers of 
~the breast and throat are raised, and standing out in 
regular rows, with the feathers of the nape and hind 
neck well back, forming a smooth kind of cape on the 
back of the neck. This smooth cape contrasts beauti- 
fully with the ruffled black and white feathers of the 
throat and fore breast. The red comb over each eye is 
enlarged, until the two nearly meet over the top of the 
head. This comb the bird is able to enlarge or reduce 
at will, and while he is strutting the expanded tail is 
moved from side to side. The two center feathers 
do not move, but each side expands and contracts al- 
ternately with each step as the bird walks. This move- 
ment of the tail produces a peculiar rustling like that 
of silk. This attitude gives him a very dignified and 
even conceited air. He tries to attract attention in 
every possible way by flying from the ground up ona 
perch, and back to the ground, making all the noise he 
can in doing so. Then he will thump some hard sub- 
stance with his bill. I have had him fly up on my 
shoulder and thump my collar. At this season he is 
very bold and will scarcely keep enough out of the 
way to avoid being stepped on. He will sometimes sit 
with his breast almost touching the earth, his feathers 
erect as in strutting, and making peculiar nodding and 
