266 
RUFFED GROUSE. 
sheltered declivities of mountains, near streams of water. This great 
difference of disposition in two species, whose food seems to be nearly 
the same, is very extraordinary. In those open plains called the Barrens 
of Kentucky, the Pinnated Grouse was seen in great numbers, but none 
of the Ruffed ; while in the high groves with which that singular tract 
of country is interspersed, the latter, or Pheasant, was frequently met 
with ; but not a single individual of the former. 
The native haunts of the Pheasant being a cold, high, mountainous 
and woody country, it is natural to expect that as we descend thence to 
the sea shores, and the low, flat and warm climate of the Southern States, 
these birds should become more rare, and such indeed is the case. In 
the lower parts of Carolina, Georgia and Florida, they are very seldom 
observed ; but as we advance inland to the mountains, they again make 
their appearance. In the lower parts of New Jersey we indeed occa- 
sionally meet with them ; but this is owing to the more northerly situa- 
tion of the country ; for even here they are far less numerous than 
among the mountains. 
Dr. Turton, and several other English writers, have spoken of a Long- 
tailed Grouse, said to inhabit the back parts of Virginia, which can be no 
other than the present species, there being, as far as I am acquainted, 
only these two, the Ruffed and Pinnated Grouse, found native within the 
United States. 
The manners of the Pheasant are solitary ; they are seldom found in 
coveys of more than four or five together, and more usually in pairs or 
singly. They leave their sequestered haunts in the woods early in the 
morning, and seek the path or road, to pick up gravel, and glean among 
the droppings of the horses. In travelling 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 be seen in such 
situations. They generally move along with great stateliness, their 
broad fan-like tail spread out in the manner exhibited in the drawing. 
The drumming, as it is usually called, of the Pheasant, is another sin- 
gularity of this species. This is performed by the male alone. In 
walking through solitary 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 a half 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 fol- 
lowing manner. The bird, standing on an old prostrate log, generally 
