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PINNATED GROUS. 117 



fellows, as in defiance. Now and then are heard some rapid cack- 

 ling notes, not unlike that of a person tickled to excessive laugh- 

 ter; and in short one can scarcely listen to them without feeling 

 disposed to laugh from sympathy. These are uttered by the males 

 while engaged in fight, on which occasion they leap up against 

 each other, exactly in the manner of turkeys, seemingly with more 

 malice than effect. This bumming continues from a little before 

 day-break to eight or nine o'clock in the morning, when the par- 

 ties separate to seek for food. 



Fresh ploughed fields, in the vicinity of their resorts, are sure 

 to be visited by these birds every morning, and frequently also in 

 the evening. On one of these I counted, at one time, seventeen 

 males, most of whom were in the attitude represented in the plate ; 

 making such a continued sound as I am persuaded might have 

 been heard for more than a mile off. The people of the barrens 

 informed me, that when the weather became severe, with snow, 

 they approach the barn and farm-house; are sometimes seen sit- 

 ting on the fences in dozens ; mix with the poultry, and glean up 

 the scattered grains of Indian corn; seeming almost half domesti- 

 cated. At such times great numbers are taken in traps. No pains, 

 however, or regular plan has ever been persisted in, as far as I was 

 informed, to domesticate these delicious birds. A Mr. Reed who 

 lives between the Pilot Knobs and Bairdstown, told me, that a few 

 years ago one of his sons found a Grouses nest with fifteen eggs, 

 which he brought home, and immediately placed below a hen then 

 sitting; taking away her own. The nest of the Grous was on the 

 ground, under a tussock of long grass, formed with very little art 

 and few materials; the eggs were brownish white, and about the 

 size of a pullet's. In three or four days the whole were hatched. 

 Instead of following the hen, they compelled her to run after them^ 

 distracting her with the extent and diversity of their wanderings ; 

 and it was a day or two before they seemed to understand her 

 language, or consent to be guided by her. They were let out to 

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