354 
PERD1C1D2E. 
tlie time continuing her call. Then occurred one of the prettiest sights that I ever wit¬ 
nessed, for a dozen or more of the young Grouse came suddenly into life, all appearing in 
the area of a few square feet. So quickly did they spring up, that every leaf seemed trans¬ 
formed into a little brown Partridge and although I watched carefully to see where they 
had hidden themselves, I was no wiser when all were out than before. The little brood 
gathered about their parent and she led them away at a fast rate to the nearest thicket, 
evidently thinking the neighborhood dangerous. In fact, she was in so much haste to leave 
it that the little ones could not keep up with her by running, sqme being obliged to use 
their wings, and I was surprised to see that, even at that early age, they could fly two or 
three yards, especially when they started from a slight elevation. 
The young follow their parent and are cared for by her, until they are nearly or quite 
fully grown; then all remain in company until the following spring, as related. 
The drumming of the Ruffed Grouse has attracted the attention of nearly all ornithol¬ 
ogists and several explanations have been given, regarding the method by which this sin¬ 
gular sound is produced. Some say that the bird strikes a log or stone with its wings; 
others, that it strikes its body; then again, it has been asserted that the wings are struck 
together over the back. Mr. Brewster who is a very careful observer, says that when drum¬ 
ming, the bird sits upright with its tarsus horizontal to the log or surface on which it 
rests, with the wings extended, and that it does not strick anything, perceptible, with 
these members, but that the sound is produced by the out-spread wings being brought sud¬ 
denly downward against the air. This is certainly quite a plausible theory, but I am in¬ 
clined to think that the sound is vocal; that the wings merely aid in producing it or are 
beaten downward as accessories to the note, just as a rooster crows, flapping its wings at 
the same time. The laryngeal muscles are certainly constructed in a manner similar to 
those of the Pinnated Grouse, the tootings of which are vocal. I have heard-the Ruffed 
Grouse drum from early spring until late in autumn. 
FAMILY III. PERDICIDiE. THE QUAILS, ETC. 
Head and neck , completely feathered, but the tartus is naked , as is also the space above 
the nostrils. Top of keel, not equalling in length the depth of the inner marginal indenta¬ 
tions. 
The terminal expansion of the furcula is narrow, produced downward, and approxi¬ 
mates quite closely to the sternum. Upper process of manubrium, not produced forward. 
The costal process is very narrow, tapering toward point which is not rounded. The bone 
at the extreme outer edge of sternum, beyond the outer marginal indentation, is not very 
wide. There is a moderately large perforation through the manubrium, and the sternum in 
front of keel, is deeply furrowed, but there is no very prominent central ridge. 
GENUS I. ORTYX. THE CRESTLESS QUAILS. 
Gen. Ch. Head, without any prominent crest. Tail and wings, rather short. General colors, light reddish-brown, 
varied with white, black, and buff. 
Members of this genus usually inhabit open country or that which is covered with a low growth of bushes. There is 
but one species within Our limits. 
