THE RUFFED GROUSE. 
77 
repetition of shots from a person determined to shoot Grouse even when 
they are good for nothing; but, kind reader, this bai'barous taste is, I hope, 
no more yours than it is mine. 
During spring, and toward^ the later part of autumn, at which time the 
Ruffed Grouse is heard drumming from different parts of the woods to 
which it resorts, I have shot many a fine cock by imitating the sound of its 
own wings striking against the body, which I did by beating a large inflated 
bullock’s bladder with a stick, keeping up as much as possible the same time 
as that in which the bird beats. At the sound produced by the bladder and 
the stick, the male Grouse, inflamed with jealousy, has flown directly 
towards me, when, being prepared, I have easily shot it. An equally 
successful stratagem is employed to decoy the males of our little partridge 
by imitating the call-note of the female during spring and summer; but in 
no instance, after repeated trials, have I been able to entice the Pinnated 
Grouse to come towards me, whilst imitating the booming sounds of that 
bird. 
Early in spring, these birds are frequently seen feeding on the tender 
buds of different trees, and at that season are more easily approached than at 
any other. Unfortunately, however, they have not by this time recovered 
their flesh sufficiently to render them worthy of the attention of a true 
sportsman, although their flavour has already improved. When our moun- 
tains are covered with a profusion of huckleberries and whortleberries, 
about the beginning of September, then is the time for shooting this species, 
and enjoying the delicious food which it affords. 
The Ruffed Grouse, on alighting upon a tree, after being raised from the 
ground, perches amongst the thickest parts of the foliage, and, assuming at 
once an erect attitude, stands perfectly still, and remains silent until all 
appearance of danger has vanished. If discovered when thus perched, it is 
very easily shot. On rising from the ground, the bird utters a cackling 
note repeated six or seven times, and before taking wing emits a lisping sort 
of whistle which seems as if produced by the young of another bird, and is 
very remarkable. 
When the ground is covered with snow sufficiently soft to allow this bird 
to conceal itself under it, it dives headlong into it with such force as to form 
a hole several yards in length, re-appears at that distance, and continues to 
elude the pursuit of the sportsman by flight. They are sometimes caught 
while beneath the snow. Many of them are taken alive in trap boxes during 
winter, although the more common method of catching or rather destroying 
them is by setting dead falls with a figure-of-four trigger. 
Early in April, the Ruffed Grouse begins to drum immediately after 
dawn and again towards the close of day. As the season advances, the 
Vol. V. 11 
