THE 



OREGON 



SPORTSMAN 



when they strut, and "mewing" of the hens if disturbed with 

 their young. 



Like the wild turkey, ruffed grouse are polygamous, one 

 mating being sufficient for an entire clutch of eggs. For 

 reasons to be detailed, it is necessary to keep cocks and hens in 

 separate cages during the breeding season, which is from 

 March to June, and since the cocks fight desperately and, I 

 think, would kill each other if confined together, each cock 



Grouse strutting* and showing* ruff of glossy black feathers and 



fan-shaped tail 



should have a separate cage at some distance from that of 

 another cock. At all other times of the year any number of 

 cocks and hens can be kept together in the same cage. As the 

 breeding, season- opens- the -eecks- begin to drum and continue for 

 about two months — from March or April to May or June. This 

 is purely a mate call. At this season it is only necessary to slip 

 a hen into the cage with the cock and mating takes place imme- 

 diately. An soon as this is done, the hen must be removed, for 



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