THE RUFFED GROUS. 2,3 



Extraordinary noise. 



those of the cock. The throat and the fore part 

 of the neck are orange brown; and the rest of the. 

 under parts yellowish white, having a few curved 

 marks on the breast and sides. The tail consists 

 of eighteen feathers; all of which are crossed with 

 narrow bars of black, and one broad band of the 

 same near the end. The legs are covered to the 

 toes (which are flesh-coloured, and pectinated on 

 the sides) with whitish hairs. 



The Ruffed Grous which has hitherto been 

 found only on the new continent, is a fine bird 

 when he displays his gaiety, spreading his tail like 

 that of a turkey-cock, and erecting the circle of 

 feathers round his neck like a ruff; walking very 

 stately with an even pace, and making a noise 

 somewhat like a turkey. This is the moment that 

 the hunter seizes to fire at him; for if the bird 

 sees that it is discovered, it immediately flies off 

 to the distance of some hundred yards before it 

 again settles. 



The thumping, as it is called, of these birds i$ 

 very remarkable. This they do, by clapping their 

 wings against their sides. They stand upon an, 

 old fallen tree, that has, lain many years on the 

 ground; in which station they begin their stroke* 

 gradually, at about two seconds of time from one 

 another, and repeat them quicker and quicker un^ 

 til they make a noise not unlike distant thunder. 

 This continues from the beginning about a mi- 

 nute ; the bird ceases for six or eight minutes, 

 and thea begins again. The sound is often heard 

 3 



