66 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
( This great difference of disposition in two species whose food 
seems to be nearly the same, is very extraordinary. In those 
open plains called the Barrens, in Kentucky, the Pinnated 
Grouse was seen in great numbers, but none of the Ruffed. 
While in the high groves with which this singular tract of coun¬ 
try is interspersed, the latter, or Pheasant, was frequently met 
with, but not a single individual of the former. The native haunts 
of the Pheasant, being a cold, high, mountainous, and woody 
country, it is natural to expect that as we descend from thence 
to the sea shores, and the low, flat, and warm climate of the 
Southern States, these birds should become more rare, and 
such is indeed the case. In the low parts of Carolina, and Geor¬ 
gia, and Florida, they are very seldom observed, but as we 
advance inland to the mountains, they again make their appear¬ 
ance. In the low parts of New Jersey we indeed occasionally 
meet with them, but this is owing to the more northerly situa¬ 
tion of the country, for even here they are far less numerous 
than among the mountains. Dr. Burton, and several other 
English writers, have spoken of a Long-tailed Grouse, said to 
inhabit the back parts of Virginia, which can be no other than 
the present species ; there being, as far as I am acquainted, only 
these two,* the Ruffed and Pinnated Grouse, found natives within 
the United States. The manners of the Pheasant are solitary, 
they are seldom found in coveys of more than four or five together, 
and more usually in pairs, or singly. They leave their seques¬ 
tered haunts in the woods early in the morning, and seek the 
path or road to pick up gravel, and glean among the droppings 
of the horses. In travelling among the mountains that bound 
the Susquehanna, I was always able to furnish myself with an 
abundant supply of these birds without leaving the path. If the 
weather be foggy or lowering, they are sure to be seen in such 
situations. They generally move along with great stateliness, 
the broad, fan-like tail spread out. 
“ The drumming, as it is usually called, of the Pheasant, 
is another singularity of this species. This is performed by the 
* This is, of course, an error of Wilson’s 
