RUFFED GROUSE. 
33 
with other species of the genus, no lasting individual attach- 
is formed, and they live in a state of limited concubi- 
ttage. The drumming parade of the male is likewise often the 
signal for a quarrel ; and when they happen to meet each 
other in the vicinity of their usual and stated walks, obstinate 
battles, like those of our domestic fowls for the sovereignty of 
the dung-hill, but too commonly succeed. When this sound, 
indeed (according to Audubon), is imitated by striking care- 
fully upon an inflated bladder with a stick, the jealous male, 
full of anger, rushes forth from his concealment and falls an 
ousy prey to the wily sportsman. 
Some time in May a female selects some thicket or the 
side of a fallen log in the dense part of the woods for the situ- 
ation of her nest. This is formed merely of a handful of with- 
ered leaves collected from the surrounding and similar surface 
of the ground. The eggs, ten to fifteen, more or less, are of a 
uniform dull yellowish color. The young run about as soon as 
hatched, and in about a week or ten days are able in some 
degree to make use of their wings. The mother now leads 
them out in search of their appropriate and delicate food, and 
broods them at night beneath her wings like the common 
hen ; she likewise defends them by every stratagem which 
ufifection can contrive. On the appearance of an enemy she 
simulates lameness, to impose on the unwelcome spectator ; 
while the young themselves squat on the ground, by which they 
nre secured, from their similarity to its surface. 
During summer these birds are fond of basking and dusting 
emselves, and for this purpose are now and then seen in the 
public roads. When flushed, and on the instant of rising from 
u ground, the bird usually utters a cackling note quickly 
repeated about half a dozen times, and also before rising utters 
u very peculiar lisping whistle. Like the Ptarmigan, the Ruffed 
rouse when alarmed in winter is frequently known to plunge 
into the soft snow and burrow out at such a distance as fre- 
quently to elude the pursuit of the hunter. Besides other 
^ccessful methods of destruction which await the devoted 
rouse, snares and traps of various kinds are employed to 
voi. n.-_3 
