132 
THE PINNATED GROUSE, 
teristic, Though very peculiar, it is termed tooting, 
from its resemblance to the blowing of a conch or 
horn from a remote quarter. The female makes her 
nest on the ground, in recesses very rarely discover- 
ed by men. She usually lavs from ten to twelve 
eggs. Their colour is of a brownish, much resem- 
bling those of a guinea lien. When hatched, the 
brood is protected by her alone. Surrounded by 
her young, the mother bird exceedingly resembles a 
domestic hen and chickens. She frequently leads 
them to feed in the roads crossing the woods, on 
the remains of manse and oats contained in the dung 
dropped by the travelling horses. In that employ- 
ment they are often surprised by the passengers. 
On such occasions the dara utters a cry of alarm. 
The little ones immediately scamper to the brush ; 
and while they are skulking into places of safety, 
their anxious parent beguiles the spectator by droop- 
ing and fluttering her wings, limping along the path, 
rolling over in the dirt, and other pretences of ina- 
bility to walk or fly. 
(t During the period of mating, and while the 
females are occupied in incubation, the males have 
a practice of assembling, principally by themselves. 
To some select and central spot, where there is 
very little underwood, they repair from the ad- 
joining district. From the exercises performed 
there, this is called a scratching place . The time of 
meeting is the break of day. As soon as the light 
appeara, the company assembles from every side, 
