The Ruffed Grouse, which is called Partridge in New England and
Pheasant in the Middle and Southern States, is the true Grouse, while
Bob White is the real Partridge. It is unfortunate that they continue
to be confounded. The fine picture of his grouseship, however, which
we here present should go far to make clear the difference between
them.
The range of the Ruffed Grouse is eastern United States, south to
North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. They hatch in
April, the young immediately leaving the nest with the mother. When
they hear the mother's warning note the little ones dive under leaves
and bushes, while she leads the pursuer off in an opposite direction.
Building the nest and sitting upon the eggs constitute the duties of
the female, the males during this interesting season keeping separate,
not rejoining their mates until the young are hatched, when they begin
to roam as a family.
Like the Turkey, the Ruffed Grouse has a habit of pluming and
strutting, and also makes the drumming noise which has caused so much
discussion. This noise "is a hollow vibrating sound, beginning softly
and increasing as if a small rubber ball were dropped slowly and then
rapidly bounced on a drum." While drumming the bird contrives to make
himself invisible, and if seen it is difficult to get the slightest
clue to the manner in which the sound is produced. And observers say
that it beats with its wings on a log, that it raises its wings and
strikes their edges above its back, that it claps them against its
sides like a crowing rooster, and that it beats the air. The writer
has seen a grouse drum, appearing to strike its wings together over
its back. But there is much difference of opinion on the subject, and
young observers may settle the question for themselves. When preparing
to drum he seems fidgety and nervous and his sides are inflated.
Letting his wings droop, he flaps them so fast that they make one
continuous humming sound. In this peculiar way he calls his mate, and
while he is still drumming, the hen bird may appear, coming slyly from
the leaves.
The nest is on the ground, made by the female of dry leaves and a few
feathers plucked from her own breast. In this slight structure she
lays ten or twelve cream-colored eggs, specked with brown.
The eyes of the Grouse are of great depth and softness, with deep
expanding pupils and golden brown iris.
Coming suddenly upon a young brood squatted with their mother near a
roadside in the woods, an observer first knew of their presence by the
old bird flying directly in his face, and then tumbling about at his
feet with frantic signs of distress and lameness. In the meantime the
little ones scattered in every direction and were not to be found. As
soon as the parent was satisfied of their safety, she flew a short
distance and he soon heard her clucking call to them to come to her
again. It was surprising how quickly they reached her side, seeming to
pop up as from holes in the ground.
[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff. RUFFED GROUSE.]