RUFFED GROUSE. 2 ti 



ox-bladders together, but much louder ; the strokes at first 

 are slow and distinct ; but gradually increase in rapidity, till 

 they run into each other, resembling the rumbling sound of 

 very distant thunder, dying away gradually on the ear. After 

 a few minutes' pause, this is again repeated, and, in a calm 

 day, may be heard nearly half a mile off. This drumming is 

 most common in spring, and is the call of the cock to his 

 favourite female. It is produced in the following manner : — 

 The bird, standing on an old prostrate log, generally in a 

 retired and sheltered situation, lowers his wings, erects his 

 expanded tail, contracts his throat, elevates the two tufts of 

 feathers on the neck, and inflates his whole body, something 

 in the manner of the turkey cock, strutting and wheeling about 

 with great stateliness. After a few manoeuvres of this kind, 

 he begins to strike with his stiffened wings in short and quick 

 strokes, which become more and more rapid until they run 

 into each other, as has been already described. This is most 

 common in the morning and evening, though I have heard 

 them drumming at all hours of the day. By means of this, 

 the gunner is led to the place of his retreat ; though, to those 

 unacquainted with the sound, there is great deception in the 

 supposed distance, it generally appearing to be much nearer 

 than it really is.* 



* Mr Audubon confirms the correctness of Wilson's comparison of 

 the drumming noise produced by this bird. He mentions having often 

 called them within shot by imitating the sound, which he accomplished 

 " by beating a large inflated bullock's bladder with a stick, keeping up 

 as much as possible the same time as that in which the bird beats. At 

 the sound produced by the bladder and the stick, the male grouse, 

 inflamed with jealousy, has flown directly towards me, when, being 

 prepared, I have easily shot it. An equally successful stratagem is 

 employed to decoy the males of our little partridge, by imitating the 

 call-note of the female during spring and summer ; but in no instance, 

 after repeated trials, have I been able to entice the pinnated grouse to 

 come towards me whilst imitating the booming sounds of that bird." 



Most game are very easily called by those expert at imitating sounds. 

 Grouse are often called by poachers, and partridges may be brought 

 near by a quill and horse-hair. Many of the Tringce and Totani are easily 

 whistled. — Ed. 



