PINNATED GROUSE. 
325 
^nes, are becoming leas frequent. Their nurahers are 
gradually diminishing ; and, assailed as they are ou all 
sides, almost ndthout cessation, their scarcity may be 
viewed as foreboding their eventual extermination. 
~ ears ago, a brace of grouse could 
They now cost from three to 
i.. _,1,1 ..,.^.11.. i.. 
five dollars. A handsome pair seldom sells in the New 
Vork market now-a-days for loss than thirty shillings, 
[three dollars, seventy-live cents,] uor for more than 
forty, [live dollars.] These prices indicate, indeed, the 
depreciation of money and the luxury of eating. They 
prove, at the same time, that grouse are become rare ; 
aud this fact is admitted by every mau who seeks them, 
'vliether for pleasure or for profit. 
“ Amours . — The season for pairing is in March, and 
the breeding time is continued through April and May. 
Then the male grouse distiuguishes himself by a peculiar 
Sound. When he utters it, the parts about the throat 
are sensibly inflated aud swelled. It may be heard on 
^ still morning for three or more miles ; some say they 
fiave perceived it as far as five or six. This noise is a 
Sort of ventriloquism. It does not strike the oar of a 
fiystander with much force, but impresses him with the 
•dea, though produced within a few rods of him, of a 
'’oice a mile or two distant. This note is highly charac- 
feristic. Though very peculiar, it i.s termed tooting, 
I from its resemblance to the blowdng of a conch or horn 
! from a remote quarter. The female makes her nest on 
the ground, iu recesses very rarely discovered by men. 
She usually lays from ten to twelve eggs. Their colour 
fr of a brownish, much resembling those of a guinea 
hen. When hatched, the brood is protected by her 
hlone. Surrounded by her young, the mother bird 
exceedingly resembles a domestic heu aud chickens. 
She frequently leads them to feed in the roads crossing 
Woods, on the remains of maize aud oats contained 
h the duug’ dropped by the travelling horses. In that 
^ployraeut they are often surprised by the passengers. 
such occasions the dam utters a cry of alarm. The 
httle ones immediately scamper to the brush ; and while 
