238 
VEETEBRATA. 
traveling 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 b* seen in such situations. They generally move along 
with great stateliness, their broad, fan-lihe tail spread out. The drumming, as it is usually called, 
is a singularity of this species. This is performed by the male alone. In walking through soli- 
tary woods frequented by these birds, a stranger is surprised by suddenly hearing a kind of 
thumping, very similar to that produced by striking two full-blown 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 favorite female. It is produced in the following manner : the bird, standing on an old, pros- 
trate 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 maneuvers of this kind, he begins to strike with his stiffened wings in short and quick 
strokes, which become more and more rapid until thej- run into each other, as has been already 
described. This is most common in the morning and evening, though I have heard them drum- 
ming at all hours of the day. By means of this, the gunner is often led to the place of his 
retreat ; though, to those unacquainted with the sound, there is great deception in the supposed dis- 
tance, it generally appearing to be much nearer than it really is." 
PUAIRIE HENS. 
The Pinnated Grouse — T. cupido of De Kay and others — Cupidonia cupido of Linnaeus, 
Catalogue of the Smithsonian Institution, (fee, — is eighteen inches long ; blackish-brown, bounded 
with reddish, above ; dark brown beneath; the eggs are eight to twelve, of a dull brown color ; the 
