GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 
91 
haunts of men, and almost as far from food and wa- 
ter, but endowed with powers for extensive locomo- 
tion, they traverse in a day leagues of the waste. 
A few species are polygamous like the former fa- 
mily, the males at dawn seeking some eminence, and 
attracting the females by their continued calls, strut- 
ting around and displaying their plumage ; but by 
far the greater number are monogamous, and regu- 
larly pair. The male remains near his consort du- 
ring incubation, and both sedulously attend upon 
and defend the young, which keep together in coveys 
until the warmth of the following spring excites new 
desires, and causes their separation. All breed up- 
on the ground, making scarcely any nest, and, with a 
few exceptions, they lay a number of eggs. In one 
or two instances, two broods are hatched in the sea- 
son, but this is rare, and only continues where the 
regions inhabited are very warm. The cry of most 
of these birds is harsh, in a few deep and hoarse ; it 
is uttered only in the breeding season, in cases of 
dispersion, and at morn and even like a roll-call to 
see that none are wanting. The plumage is subject 
to considerable variation between the males and fe- 
males during the breeding season, and in those which 
inhabit northern regions or alpine districts, a change 
of plumage in winter, different from that of spring 
or summer, takes place. 
Among the true grouse, such as the wood-grouse, 
black-cock, and beautiful birds of America, the males 
are distinguished by a plumage of deep glossy blac k 
