400 



PINNATED GROUSE. 



without making any of them take wing. In like manner, the 

 men lying in concealment near the scratching places have 

 been known to discharge several guns before either the report 

 of the explosion, or the sight of their wounded and dead 

 fellows, would rouse them to flight. It has farther been re- 

 marked, that when a company of sportsmen have surrounded 

 a pack of grouse, the birds seldom or never rise upon their 

 pinions while they are encircled ; but each runs along until 

 it passes the person that is nearest, and then flutters off with 

 the utmost expedition. 



"As you have made no inquiry of me concerning the 

 ornithological character of these birds, I have not mentioned 

 it, presuming that you are already perfectly acquainted with 

 their classification and description. In a short memoir written 

 in 1803, and printed in the eighth volume of the Medical 

 Repository, I ventured an opinion as to the genus and species. 

 Whether 1 was correct is a technical matter, which I leave 

 you to adjust. I am well aware that European accounts of 

 our productions are often erroneous, and require revision and 

 amendment. This you must perform. For me it remains to 

 repeat my joy at the opportunity your invitation has afforded 

 me to contribute somewhat to your elegant work, and at the 

 same time to assure you of my earnest hope that you may be 

 favoured with ample means to complete it. 



" Samuel L. Mitchill." 



Duly sensible of the honour of the foregoing communication, 

 and grateful for the good wishes with which it is concluded, 

 I shall now, in farther elucidation of the subject, subjoin a 

 few particulars properly belonging to my own department. 



It is somewhat extraordinary that the European naturalists, 

 in their various accounts of our different species of grouse, 

 should have said little or nothing of the one now before us, 

 which, in its voice, manners, and peculiarity of plumage, is 

 the most singular, and, in its flesh, the most excellent, of all 

 those of its tribe that inhabit the territory of the United States. 



C 



