PINNATED GROUSE. 
275 
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 de- 
fiance. 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 sun 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 lough houses, within a few yards of the parade. 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 neighboring trees, instead of alighting 
at the scratching 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 packs, as the phrase 
is, until the pairing season. A full pack consists of course 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 explo- 
sion, or the sight of their wounded and dead fellows, would rouse them 
to flight. It has further been remarked, that when a company of 
sportsmen have surrounded 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 ornithological 
character of these birds, I have not mentioned it, presuming that you 
