252 



RUFFED GROUSE. 



with which that singular tract of country is interspersed, the 

 latter, or pheasant, was frequently met with ; hut not a single 

 individual of the former. 



The native haunts of the pheasant being a cold, high, 

 mountainous, and woody country, it is natural to expect that, 

 as we descend from thence to the sea-shores, and the low, flat, 

 and warm climate of the southern States, these birds should 

 become more rare; and such indeed is the case. In the lower 

 parts of Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, they are very seldom 

 observed ; but as we advance inland to the mountains, they 

 again make their appearance. In the lower parts of New 

 Jersey, we indeed occasionally meet with them ; but this is 

 owing to the more northerly situation of the country ; for even 

 here they are far less numerous than among the mountains. 



Dr Turton, and several other English writers, have spoken 

 of a long-tailed grouse, said to inhabit the back parts of 

 Virginia, which can be no other than the present species ; there 

 being, as far as I am acquainted, only these two, the ruffed 

 and pinnated grouse, found native within the United States. 



The manners of the pheasant are solitary ; they are seldom 

 found in coveys of more than four or five together, and more 

 usually in pairs, or singly. They leave their sequestered 

 haunts in the woods early in the morning, and seek the path 

 or road, to pick up gravel, and glean among the droppings of 

 the horses. In travelling among the mountains that bound 

 the Susquehanna, I was always able to furnish myself with 

 an abundant supply of these birds every morning without 

 leaving the path. If the weather be foggy or lowering, they 

 are sure to be seen in such situations. They generally move 

 along with great stateliness, their broad fanlike tail spread 

 out in the manner exhibited in the drawing. The drumming, 

 as it is usually called, of the pheasant, is another singularity 

 of this species. This is performed by the male alone. In 

 walking through solitary woods frequented by these birds, 

 a stranger is surprised by suddenly hearing a kind of thump- 

 ing very similar to that produced by striking two full-blown 



