RUFFED GROUSE. 
fc 253 
deviation from her usual manoeuvres when she has a numerous 
brood. It would have been impossible for me to have injured 
this affectionate mother, who had exhibited such an example 
of presence of mind, reason, and sound judgment, as must 
have convinced the most bigoted advocates of mere instinct. 
To carry off a whole brood in this manner at once would have 
been impossible, and to attempt to save one at the expense of 
the rest would be unnatural. She therefore usually takes the 
only possible mode of saving them in that case, by decoying 
the person in pursuit of herself, by such a natural imitation of 
lameness as to impose on most people. But here, in the case 
of a single solitary young one, she instantly altered her plan, and 
adopted the most simple and effectual means for its preservation. 
The Pheasant generally springs within a few yards, with a 
loud whirring noise, * and flies with great vigour through the 
* Mr Audubon has the following observations on the flight and whirring 
noise produced during it : — “ When this bird rises from the ground at a time 
when pursued by an enemy, or tracked by a dog, it produces a loud whirring 
sound, resembling that of the whole tribe, excepting the Black Cock of 
Europe, which has less of it than any other species. This whirring sound is 
never heard when the Grouse rises of its own accord, for the purpose of 
removing from one place to another ; nor, in similar circumstances, is it com- 
monly produced by our little Partridge. In fact, I do not believe that it is 
emitted by any species of Grouse, unless when surprised and forced to rise. 
I have often been lying on the ground in the woods or the fields for hours at 
a time, for the express purpose of observing the movements and habits of 
different birds, and have frequently seen a Partridge or a Grouse rise on wing 
from within a few yards of the spot in which I lay, unobserved by them, as 
gently and softly as any other bird, and without producing any whirring sound. 
Nor even when this Grouse ascends to the top of a tree, does it make any 
greater noise than other birds of the same size would do.” 
The structure of the wings among all the Tetraonidce and Phasianidce, is such 
as to preclude the possibility of an entirely noiseless flight, when the members 
are actively used; but I have no doubt that it can be, and is sometimes, 
increased. When any kind of game is suddenly sprung, or alarmed, the wings 
are made use of with more violence than when the flight is fairly commenced, 
or a rise to the branch of a tree is only contemplated. I have heard it produced 
by all our British game to a certain extent, when flying over me, perfectly 
unalarmed. The noise is certainly produced by the rapid action of the wings, 
and I believe the birds cannot exert that with a totally noiseless flight. Sounds 
