NOVEMBER. 
885 
rank smell, children call foxes ; but these have the elytra of 
a brilliant crimson^ that changes to as bright a green^ if the 
light falls on it from a different angle. 
F. — Here are two other insects of different orders ; a 
pretty Tortrix, and a large female black Ichneumon, which 
emits a strong and peculiar smell. But the effects of the 
late w^eather are not confined to insects : three days ago I 
was surprised to see a full-grown Chequered Snake swiftly 
gliding over the fallen leaves, beneath the maple grove : the 
frogs^ too^ are still to be seen in the marshy pools and 
springs. 
C. — Ha ! what is that ? 
F, — It is a partridge, the Ruffed Grouse of Wilson ( Te- 
trao Umbellus ), It remains with us^ I believe^ all the year, 
and at this season frequently skulks about old logs^ near the 
borders of woods^ where it might lie concealed^ if it would keep 
its own counsel; but an approaching footstep flushes it, and off 
it goes, with a loud whirring noise that is quite startling : its 
flight is widely different from the silent motion of the Owls. 
It is a large and handsome bird, mottled with various shades 
of brown and black ; and the delicate flavour of the flesh is 
equal to its beauty. It is in excellent condition at this sea- 
son, having fed on mast, berries, &c. ; but though common 
with us, it is not much pursued. Our farmers are by no 
means sportsmen : if a partridge were to come to their doors, 
I suppose they would kill it, but in general the destruction 
of a few pigeons when eating their buckwheat, or a few 
grakles at their corn, is the height of their attainments in 
this way. The partridge, or pheasant, as it is called farther 
south, breeds with us : I have frequently flushed the coveys 
in July and August : they will suffer you almost to tread 
on them before they will fly ; but then they fly fast and far, 
before they alight. 
