BIRD LIFE IN WASHINGTON 
87 
A spot near a log with a slab for a roof 
offers an excellent home site. 
Easter produces no prettier eggs than 
the spotted beauties presented by this 
bird. I have counted 20 in the same nest. 
But this is an unusual number. Sixteen 
is considered a full set. 
These high figures explain why the 
bird still holds its own in spite of the “pot 
hunters.” 
Sometimes winter proves a greater foe 
to them than the gun. A heavy snow 
shuts off their food supply. Then a place 
should be shoveled clear near the edge of 
the woods and grain scattered every day 
while the snow lasts. 
In the winter of 1908 and 1909, Seattle 
fed her quail at the City’s expense. 
The people will do this anywhere if the 
necessity is only suggested to them. The 
snow is often nearly gone before the needs 
of these timid little sufferers become ap¬ 
parent by the finding of some of them 
frozen. 
OREGON RUFFED GROUSE 
This is the Grouse that makes the 
drumming sound in the woods. 
One day I was sitting quietly in the 
woods listening for bird notes when Ore¬ 
gon Ruffed Grouse appeared before me. 
Yes, there was the brown and rusty yel¬ 
low barred coloring and the distinguish- 
