clxxxi 
Tbtbaonid® . BIRDS. Tetbaonids:. 
Grouse is found in Nortliern Illinois and Southern 
Wisconsin. It is considered to be the best in flavor 
as a table delicacy, or at least to be unrivalled as 
such. It is about the size of the Pinnated Grouse. 
'I’here seems to be no marked difference between the 
male and the female of this species. A striking 
peculiarity is seen in the two middle tail-feathers, 
which are two inches longer than the others. 
PBAIEIE CHICKEN {Ciipidonia cupiclo) — Plate 
VII, fig. xiv — is the only species known to the genus. 
Its present habitat is the prairies of the Mississippi 
Valley, from Louisiana northward ; east to Pocono 
Mountains, Pennsylvania. They were formerly com- 
mon in Massachusetts, and some are yet seen on the 
island of Martha’s Vineyard. “ In the earliest days 
of spring, even when the snow is yet on the ground, 
these birds no longer keep in large flocks, but sepa- 
rate into smaller parties, and the mating season com- 
mences, during which their manners — especially those 
of tlie male — are very peculiar and striking. A par- 
ticular locality is selected, to which they resort until 
incubation has commenced. 'I’he males meet in this 
place and engage in furious battle. At this season 
they are especially conspicuous for their great pom- 
posity of bearing. With tails outspread, and inclined 
forward to meet the expanded feathers of their neck, 
and with the globular, orange-colored, bladder-like 
receptacles of air on their necks distended to their 
utmost capacity, and issuing a peculiar sound, spoken 
of as 'booming, these birds strut about in the pres- 
ence of one another, with various manifestations of 
jealous dislike and animosity, soon ending in furious 
contests. 'I'heir wings are declined, like those of the 
Cock Turkey, and rustle on the ground as the birds 
pass and repass in a rapid manner; their bodies are 
depressed, and their notes indicate their intense ex- 
citement. Upon the appearance of a female answer- 
ing to their calls, they at once engage in their des- 
perate encounters. They rise in the air and strike 
at one another, in the manner of a Game Cock, and 
several engage in a miscellaneous scrimmage, until 
the weaker give way, and, one after another, seek 
refuge in the neighboring bushes, the few remaining 
victors discontinuing their contests as if from sheer 
exhaustion.” — 'North American Birds. A variety 
(pallidicinctus) is found on the south-western prai- 
ries, in 'I’exas. 
ROTFED GROUSE {Bonassa umbenus)—F\a.te VII, 
fig. xiii. — T'his is one of the most familiar birds in 
the Northern States. In New England it is called 
Partridge ; in the Middle and Southern States, Pheas- 
ant ; and in the British Provinces, Birch Partridge. 
'I’here are several varieties found in various parts of 
the continent, but the present is confined to the 
eastern province of North America. It is a con- 
stant resident where it is found, and is not migra- 
tory. 'I’hey feed at times on the buds of the birch 
and other trees, and in the summer on berries in 
great variety. This Grouse is said to be more or 
less polygamous. 'I’he males only remain with the 
females until incubation has commenced, and then 
keep by themselves. Dr. Brewer, in North Ameri- 
can Birds, relates a pleasant instance of the devo- 
tion of the female to her young. He says : “ Com- 
ing suddenly upon a young brood of Partridges, 
squatted with their mother near a roadside in a 
wood, my first knowledge of their presence was re- 
ceived from the old bird flying directly at my face, 
and then tumbling about at my feet with frantic 
manifestations of distress and imitated lameness. 
In the meanwhile, the little ones scattered in every 
direction, and were not to be found. As soon as she 
was satisfied of their safety, the parent flew to a 
short distance, and I soon heard her clucking call to 
them to come to her again. Altogether, it was one 
of the most striking scenes of parental devotion and 
well-managed intervention I ever witnessed. When 
I came upon the mother, she had squatted upon the 
ground, and the young had taken refuge under her 
wings.” 'I’he peculiar drumming of these birds — the 
males — is said to be produced by a rapid vibration of 
its w’ings against its body. 'The male bird chooses 
with great constancy the same log or rock, whereon 
to perform his affectionate addresses. 'I’lie season 
for this is early in March. He struts about, with 
wings lowered, neck elevated, and rapidly beats the 
sides of his body with his stiffened wings. So rap- 
idly does this beating take place, the sound seems to 
be at last continuous. In the Rocky .Mountains, and 
as far north-west as Alaska, is a variety called uni- 
belloides. 'I'hey are somewhat smaller than umbellus, 
have a much grayer plumage and a shorter ruffle. 
Another variety (the sabini, called also the Oregon 
Grouse) is found on the coast mountains of Oregon, 
Washington and British Columbia. 'I’he flesh of 
the Ruffed Grouse is considered a great delicacy, 
especially in the fall, when they feed on the spruce 
buds and partridge berries, a peculiar flavor being 
imparted to them. 'I'he strong resemblance of the 
plumage of this bird to the lichen-covered branches 
of forest trees, renders it comparatively safe while 
squatting closely upon a limb. 'The length of the B. 
umbellus is eighteen inches ; wing, seven and a quar- 
ter ; tail, seven. 'The female is smaller. 
WILLOW GROUSE (Lagojms albus). — 'This is also 
called the White Ptarmigan. Its habitat is in 
Arctic America, from Newfoundland to Sitka. 'The 
entire plumage, except the tail, of this bird in win- 
ter is pure white ; the tail is black, with a white tip. 
'These birds are very abundant in their northern 
haunts, and in winter they are pushed by the sever- 
ity of the climate towards Canada, when our markets 
occasionally exhibit specimens for sale. In winter 
the food of the White Ptarmigan consists wholly of 
the buds of the willow. Well-worn paths among 
the willows are observed, which they constantly use 
in their rounds while feeding. 'The Indians take ad- 
vantage of this habit to snare them. In the fall 
these Ptarmigans assemble in large flocks, separat- 
ing somewhat in winter. 'The males are said to 
crow after the fashion of the Moor-cock of Scot- 
land, the tone and notes being similar. 
ROCK PTARMIGAN [Lagopus mutus ; var. rupes- 
tris). — 'This is another Arctic bird, about the size of 
the last-named, though not so stout. Its habits are 
said to be much like those of the white species. 
