112 



PINNATED GROUS. 



of ten or a dozen. Two packs have been known to associate. I 

 lately heard of one whose number amounted to twenty-two. They 

 are so unapt to be startled, that a hunter, assisted by a dog, has 

 been able to shoot almost a whole pack, 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 fur- 

 ther been remarked, that when a company of sportsmen have sur- 

 rounded 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 orni- 

 thological character of these birds, I have not mentioned it, pre- 

 suming that you are already perfectly acquainted with their clas- 

 sification 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 I 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 opportu- 

 nity 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 com- 

 plete it. 



« SAMUEI4 L. MITCHILL.'^ 



Duly sensible of the honor of the foregoing communication, 

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

 now, in further elucidation of the subject, subjoin a few particulars 

 properly belonging to my own department. 



