400 
PINNATED GROUSE. 
whole pack, without making any of them take wing. In like 
manner, the men lying in concealment near the scratching 
places have been known to discharge several guns before 
either the report of the explosion, or the sight of their wounded 
and dead fellows, would rouse them to flight. It has farther 
been remarked, that when a company of sportsmen have sur- 
rounded a pack of Grouse, the birds seldom or never rise upon 
their pinions while they are encircled ; but each runs along 
until it passes the person that is nearest, and then flutters off 
with the utmost expedition. 
“ As you have made no inquiry of me concerning the 
ornithological character of these birds, I have not mentioned 
it, presuming that you are already perfectly acquainted with 
their classification and description. In a short memoir written 
in 1803, and printed in the eighth volume of the Medical 
Repository , I ventured an opinion as to the genus and species. 
Whether I was correct is a technical matter, which I leave 
you to adjust. I am well aware that European accounts of 
our productions are often erroneous, and require revision and 
amendment. This you must perform. For me it remains to 
repeat my joy at the opportunity your invitation has afforded 
me to contribute somewhat to your elegant work, and at the 
same time to assure you of my earnest hope that you may be 
favoured with ample means to complete it. 
“ Samuel L. Mitchill.” 
Duly sensible of the honour of the foregoing communication, 
and grateful for the good wishes with which it is concluded, I 
shall now, in farther elucidation of the subject, subjoin a few 
particulars properly belonging to my own department. 
It is somewhat extraordinary that the European naturalists, 
in their various accounts of our different species of Grouse, 
should have said little or nothing of the one now before us, 
which, in its voice, manners, and peculiarity of plumage, is 
the most singular, and, in its flesh, the most excellent, of all 
those of its tribe that inhabit the territory of the United States. 
