The Oregon Ruffed Grouse 



In executing this manoeuver the bird stands to its full height and 

 beats its wings swiftly downward toward its sides, in this manner ren- 

 dering sounds which closely resemble the syllables bump - bump - bump, 

 bumperrrrrr. The wing-beats commence slowly but end in a rapid whirr, 



which not even the most speedy 

 lens may exactly define. The 

 sound carries to the distance of 

 half a mile or more, but so subtle, 

 or profound, is its character, that 

 the ear can scarcely distinguish as 

 between twenty yards and fifty. 

 It is only a lucky chance 

 which discovers the female near 

 the drumming log, although this 

 is the appointed meeting place. On 

 the occasion of her near presence 

 the male occupies the intervals of 

 drumming by strutting up 

 and down with extended 

 plumage, and tail held tur- 

 key-wise. We cannot blame 

 the admiration of the female, 

 and no one begrudges a mor- 

 tal the right to strut a little 

 before one. 



It is a moot point 

 whether Robin Goodfellow 

 is as faithful as he ought 

 to be. The fact seems to be, 

 however, that behavior varies 

 greatly with individuals. Or- 

 dinarily the bird appears to 

 mate but once in a season. 

 During the period of incuba- 

 tion, the hen is left pretty 

 much to her own devices, 

 but even then the cock is not 

 unlikely to be somewhere in 

 the vicinity. When the chicks 

 are out, it is the mother who has the care and training of them, but in- 

 stances are on record where the male has appeared upon the scene in 

 time of danger to make gallant defense of his offspring. 



1598 



Tacoma Photo by the Author 



NEST AND EGGS OF OREGON RUFFED GROUSE 



AT BASE OF ALDER TREE 



