RUFFED GROUSE; PARTRIDGE 105 



and flaps so low, and withal so rapidly, that they present 

 the appearance of a broad wheel, almost a revolving 

 sphere, as it whirs off like a cannon-ball shot from a gun. 



April 29, 1857. Sweet-fern at entrance of Ministe- 

 rial Swamp. A partridge there drums incessantly. C. 

 says it makes his heart beat with it, or he feels it in 

 his breast. 



July 25, 1857. As we were returning over the track s 

 where I had passed but a few moments before, we started 

 a partridge with her young partly from beneath the 

 wooden rails. While the young hastened away, she sat 

 within seven feet of us and plumed herself, perfectly 

 fearless, without making a noise or ruffling her feathers 

 as they do in our neighborhood, and I thought it would 

 be a good opportunity to observe whether she flew as 

 quietly as other birds when not alarmed. We observed 

 her till we were tired, and when we compelled her to 

 ' get out of our way, though she took to wing as easily , 

 as if we had not been there and went only two or three 

 rods, into a tree, she flew with a considerable whir, as if 

 this were unavoidable in a rapid motion of the wings. 



Oct. 20, 1857. Melvin says he has caught partridges 

 in his hands. If there 's only one hole, knows they 've 

 not gone out. Sometimes shoots them through the snow. 



Nov. 20, 1857. I see a partridge on the ground under 

 a white oak by Tarbell's black birches, looking just like 

 a snag. This is the second time I have seen them in 

 such a place. Are they not after acorns ? 



Nov. 28, 1857. P. M. — Around Ebby Hubbard's 

 wood-lot. 



1 [On the Northeast Carry, Moosehead Lake, Maine.] 



