THE RUFFED GROUSE. 77 



repetition of shots from a person determined to shoot Grouse even when 

 they are good for nothing; but, kind reader, this barbarous taste is, I hope, 

 no more yours than it is mine. 



During spring, and towards the latter part of autumn, at which time the 

 Ruffed Grouse is heard drumming from different parts of the woods to 

 which it resorts, I have shot many a fine cock by imitating the sound of its 

 own wings striking against the body, which I did by beating a large inflated 

 bullock's bladder with a stick, keeping up as much as possible the same time 

 as that in which the bird beats. At the sound produced by the bladder and 

 the stick, the male Grouse, inflamed with jealousy, has flown directly 

 towards me, when, being prepared, I have easily shot it. An equally 

 successful stratagem is employed to decoy the males of our little Partridge 

 by imitating the call-note of the female during spring and summer; but in 

 no instance, after repeated trials, have I been able to entice the Pinnated 

 Grouse to come towards me, whilst imitating the booming sounds of that 

 bird. 



Early in spring, these birds are frequently seen feeding on the tender 

 buds of different trees, and at that season are more easily approached than at 

 any other. Unfortunately, however, they have not by this time recovered 

 their flesh sufficiently to render them worthy of the attention of a true 

 sportsman, although their flavour has already improved. When our moun- 

 tains are covered with a profusion of huckleberries and whortleberries, 

 about the beginning of September, then is the time for shooting this species, 

 and enjoying the delicious food which it affords. 



The Ruffed Grouse, on alighting upon a tree, after being raised from the 

 ground, perches amongst the thickest parts of the foliage, and, assuming at 

 once an erect attitude, stands perfectly still, and remains silent until all 

 appearance of danger has vanished. If discovered when thus perched, it is 

 very easily shot. On rising from the ground, the bird utters a cackling 

 note repeated six or seven times, and before taking wing emits a lisping sort 

 of whistle, which seems as if produced by the young of another bird, and is 

 very remarkable. 



When the ground is covered with snow sufficiently soft to allow this bird 

 to conceal itself under it, it dives headlong into it with such force as to form 

 a hole several yards in length, re-appears at that distance, and continues to 

 elude the pursuit of the sportsman by flight. They are sometimes caught 

 while beneath the snow. Many of them are taken alive in trap boxes during 

 winter, although the more common method of catching or rather destroying 

 them is by setting dead falls with a figure-of-four trigger. 



Early in April, the Ruffed Grouse begins to drum immediately after 

 dawn, and again towards the close of day. As the season advances, the 



Vol. V. 11 



