PINNATED GROUSE. 
327 
To some select and central spot where there is very little 
underirood, they repair from tlie adjoining distidct. 
Prom the exercises performed there, this is called a 
scratching place. The time of meeting is the break 
of day. As soon as the light appears, the comiiany 
assembles from every side, sometimes to the number ot 
forty or fifty. ■When the dawn is past, the ceremony 
begins by a low tooting from one of the cocks. This 
is ausnered by another. They then come forth one 
by one from the bushes, and strut about with all the 
I pride and ostentation they can display. Their necks 
I arc incurvatod ; the feather.s on them are erected into 
I a sort of ruflf; the illumes of their tails are expanded 
like tans ; they strut about in a stylo resembling, as 
nearlF as small may be ilhistratwl by great, the pomp 
of the turkey cock. They seem to vie with each other 
in stateliness ; ami, as they pass each other, Irefpiently 
cast looks of insult, and utter notes of defiance. These 
are the signals for battles. They engage with wonder- 
ful spirit .and fierceness. During these contests, they 
le.ap a foot or two fi om the ground, and utter a cackling, 
Screaming, and discordant cry. 
“ They have been found in those 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 farther beliet; that they roost on the 
ground. And the opinion is confirmed by the discovery 
of little rings of dung, apparently deposited by a dock 
'vhich had passed the night together. After the appear- 
ance of the sun, they disperse. 
“ These places of exhibition h.ave been often dis- 
covered 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 bough houses, within a few yards of the parade. 
Hither they repair with their fouling-pieccs, in the 
'after part of the night, and u ait the ajipcarance ot the 
fords. Watching the moment when two are proudly 
eyeing each other, or engaged in battle, or when a 
