PINNATED GROUS. 



Ill 



as small may be illustrated by great, the pomp of the turkey- 

 cock. They seem to vie with each other in stateliness; and as 

 they pass each other frequently cast looks of insult, and utter notes 

 of defiance. These are the signals for battles. They engage with 

 wonderful spirit and fierceness. During these contests, they leap 

 a foot or two from the ground, and utter a cackling, screaming 

 and discordant cry. 



" They have been found in these places of resort even earlier 

 than the appearance of light in the east. This fact has led to the 

 belief that a part of them assemble over night. The rest join them 

 in the morning. This leads to the further belief that they roost on 

 the ground. And the opinion is confirmed by the discovery of little 

 rings of dung, apparently deposited by a flock which had passed 

 the night together. After the appearance of the sxm they disperse. 



These places of exhibition have been often discovered by 

 the hunters ; and a fatal discovery it has been for the poor Grouse. 

 Their destroyers construct for themselves lurking holes made of 

 pine branches, called bough-houses, within a few yards of the pa- 

 rade. Hither they repair with their fowling-pieces in the latter 

 part of the night, and wait the appearance of the birds. Watching 

 the moment when two are proudly eyeing each other, or engaged 

 in battle ; or when a greater number can be seen in a range, they 

 pour on them a destructive charge of shot. This annoyance has 

 been given in so many places, and to such extent, that the Grouse, 

 after having been repeatedly disturbed, are afraid to assemble. On 

 approaching the spot to which their instinct prompts them, they 

 perch on the neighbouring trees, instead of alighting at the scratch- 

 ing place. And it remains to be observed, how far the restless and 

 tormenting spirit of the marksmen, may alter the native habits of 

 the Grouse, and oblige them to betake themselves to new ways 

 of life. 



" They commonly keep together in coveys, or paclcs^ as the 

 phrase is, until the pairing season. A full pack consists of course 



