96 
THE PINNATED GROUSE. 
congregated during the winter in great flocks, separate into parties of from 
twenty to fifty or more. Their love season commences, and a spot is 
pitched upon to which they daily resort until incubation is established. 
Inspired by love, the male birds, before the first glimpse of day lightens the 
horizon, fly swiftly and singly from their grassy beds, to meet, to challenge, 
and to fight the various rivals led by the same impulse to the arena. The 
male is at this season attired in his full dress, and enacts his part in a 
manner not surpassed in pomposity by any other bird. Imagine them 
assembled, to the number of twenty, by day-break, see them all strutting in 
the presence of each other, mark their consequential gestures, their looks 
of disdain, and their angry pride, as they pass each other. Their tails are 
spread out and inclined forwards, to meet the expanded feathers of their 
neck, which now, like stiffened frills, lie supported by the globular orange- 
coloured receptacles of air, from which their singular booming sounds 
proceed. Their wings, like those of the Turkey Cock, are stiffened and 
declined so as to rub and rustle on the ground, as the bird passes rapidly 
along. Their bodies are depressed towards the ground, the fire of their 
eyes evinces the pugnacious workings of the mind, their notes fill the air 
around, and at the very first answer from some coy female, the heated blood 
of the feathered warriors swells every vein, and presently the battle rages. 
Like Game Cocks they strike, and rise in the air to meet their assailants 
with greater advantage. Now many close in the encounter ; feathers are 
seen whirling in the agitated air, or falling around them tinged with blood. 
The weaker begin to give way, and one after another seek refuge in the 
neighbouring bushes. The remaining few, greatly exhausted, maintain 
their ground, and withdraw slowly and proudly, as if each claimed the 
honours of victory. The vanquished and the victors then search for the 
females, who, believing each to have returned from the field in triumph, 
teceive them with joy. 
It not unfrequently happens that a male already mated is suddenly 
attacked by some disappointed rival, who unexpectedly pounces upon him 
after a flight of considerable length, having been attracted by the cacklings 
of the happy couple. The female invariably squats next to and almost 
under the breast of her lord, while he, always ready for action, throws 
himself on his daring antagonist, and chases him away never to return. 
Such is the moment which I have attempted to represent in the plate. 
In such places in the Western country as I have described, the “Prairie 
Hen” is heard “ booming” or “ tooting” not only before break of day. but 
frequently at all hours from morning until sunset ; but in districts where 
these birds have become wild in consequence of the continual interference 
of man, they are seldom heard after sunrise, sometimes their meetings are 
