62 LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



The nest itself is a very slight affair, and does not take long to con- 

 struct. It is lined with a little dry grass, dead leaves, pine needles, or what- 

 ever is most conveniently found in the immediate vicinity of the nesting site. 



Occasionally the Ruffed Grouse breeds very early, even in the more 

 northern portions of its range. I have reliable records of full sets of eggs 

 found in central New York as early as April 1 and April 2. Usually, how- 

 ever, the beginning of May is the breeding season of this species. If the 

 bird is disturbed on the nest and the eggs are handled before the complete 

 number has been laid and incubation fairly begun, it will frequently abandon 

 its nest. The male leaves his mate as soon as she commences to sit, and 

 apparently does not join the family again until the young are nearly fully 

 grown. Incubation lasts from twenty -four to twenty-eight ■ days, and but a 

 single brood is raised in a season. If there are exceptions to this rule they 

 are rare. 



When incubation is somewhat advanced the Ruffed Grouse is loath to 

 leave her eggs, and will allow herself to be very closely approached, relying on 

 her color and motionless attitude for protection. 



Mr. Lynds Jones writes me that he once stepped directly over a sitting 

 bird without knowing it until the bird flew off behind him. Mr. A. S. Johnson, 

 of Hydeville, Vermont, relates a similar experience, as follows: "I stood within 

 2 feet of a Ruffed Grouse sitting on her nest, which did not as much as wink 

 till I stooped over closer to see how near she would let me approach. Then 

 she slipped off the nest and skulked off 4 or 5 rods, stopping then to watch 

 what I was going to do. The nest contained ten eggs. I passed by the spot 

 several times after this and saw the bird on the nest each time, but did not dis- 

 turb her." 



The young are able to run about as soon as out of the shell and are cared 

 for by the mother as a hen manages her brood. Their food at first consists 

 almost entirely of insects (such as ants, beetles, small larvae, and grasshoppers) 

 and worms. When a little older they are taken to old wood roads for the double 

 purpose of feeding on berries and such grain as is found among the droppings 

 of horses, and more especially to take dust baths in order to free themselves 

 from vermin. The cluck of the mother resembles that of the common barn- 

 yard fowl, only it is more subdued. When suddenly alarmed, a shrill squeal is 

 given by the female ; this, according to Dr. William L. Ralph, resembles very 

 much the whining of a young puppy; and while the parent faces the in- 

 truder with every feather raised, the young hide quickly under anything in 

 the vicinity that may afford protection, and they remain there perfectly quiet 

 until called together again by their parent. 



Till about half grown the Ruffed Grouse roosts with her young on the 

 ground, afterward in trees. They do not pack at any time of the year, but 

 remain in coveys, or what is left of these, seldom more than six or eight 

 birds being found together. 



During the summer and fall the food of the Ruffed Grouse is quite varied. 

 Dr. A. K. Fisher, of the Department of Agriculture, Washington, District of 



