238 grous. 



The female is smaller, less bright in colour, and wants the wing 

 like feathers on the neck. 



This singular species is found in Carolina, New Jersey, and other 

 parts of North America, but particularly on the brushy plains of 

 Long Island, where they are very numerous ; supposed to lay many 

 eggs, as they are seen in families of twenty-four or more, old and 

 young together;* they breed in July; the chief food is huckle- 

 berries, and acorns of the Dwarf Oak. In September and October 

 form themselves into flocks of 200 or more, and as soon as the snow 

 falls, frequent places where Pines grow : the male crows for half an 

 hour, about day-break, and at that time sets the wing-like feathers 

 quite upright, which at other times fall on each side of the neck. 

 In severe weather mix with the poultry, and glean the scattered 

 Indian corn, seemingly half domesticated. 



It is observed, that more males are brought to market than 

 females, notwithstanding the probable superabundance of the latter, 

 no doubt occasioned by their being betrayed to the sportsman, by 

 their noise. It is also found about 100 miles up Albany River, in 

 Hudson's Bay, but not near the Fort, or farther northward : knots 

 of the brier were found in the crop of one, also a species of green 

 lichen, and some grains of Indian corn. 



The Amer. Om. observes, that two packs often join so as to form 

 a company of twenty-two, at which time they are not easily dis- 

 turbed ; for they will suffer almost the whole to be killed with the 

 gun before they disperse ; they keep in packs till pairing time, when 

 several males meet, and often engage with fierceness, and spirit ; are 

 stationary, but not to be domesticated. The favourite food is heath- 

 hen plums, or Partridge berry ;f fond also of Hurts, J and Cran- 

 berries, § worms and insects : in winter chiefly live on acorns and 

 buds of trees. It makes the nest on the ground, and lays from ten 



* A nest of one of these was found, containing fifteen brownish white eggs, the size of 

 Pullet's ; often two packs will mix, and associate together. 



■f Mitchella J Vaccinium Myrtillus § Vaccinium Oxyococcos. 



