Ruffed Grouse Drumming 
The drumming of the ruffed grouse is one of those perennial 
delights to which the true forest lover looks forward eagerly 
each season. To stalk a drumming bird one must be equipped 
with the gifts of patience and perseverance. Then, to learn how 
the sound is produced, one must be of an observing nature. 
Excellent photos depicting the forward wing stroke have been 
taken, but no camera has yet stopped the wings in the rear 
position. It has been determined that the noise is produced by 
the concussion of the wings striking the air (not the body), and 
that the wings come nearly, if not quite, together at the back 
as shown in the illustration. 

