204 INSESSORES — CURSORES. 



This sound, which is produced only by the mala 

 bird, can be heard at the distance of nearly half a 

 mile. 



The nest of this Grouse is usually placed in a tuft 

 of tall prairie grass, or at the foot of a clump of low 

 bushes. It is composed of dry leaves and grasses, 

 neatly interwoven together. The female lays about 

 twelve eggs, upon which she sits eighteen or nine- 

 teen days. The young leave the nest at once upon 

 being hatched, and soon become quite strong and 

 active. If a female and brood are surprised on the 

 prairie, the latter immediately spread their little 

 wings and scatter in all directions for a short dis- 

 tance, when they squat so close among the grass, 

 that it is next to impossible to find them. In the 

 Autumn several families club together and search 

 for food in company until the Spring. 



We can hardly pass from the order of Gallinae 

 without taking some notice of the Ptarmigan. There 

 are several species of this beautiful and singular 

 bird, which are occasionally found within the United 

 States, but none of them are resident, their favor- 

 ite haunts being among the icy regions of the north. 

 The Willow Ptarmigan has been observed, during 

 Winter, in the State of Maine and also in the Kocky 

 Mountains. The White-tailed Ptarmigan is likewise 

 a Kocky Mountain bird. They all, however, seem 

 to prefer the more northern latitude of Hudson's 

 Bay and the Fur Countries as a breeding-place, only 

 leaving it for the south for a short time during the 

 severity of Winter. One species, the Rock Ptarmi- 



