On the ground, where the Ruffed Grouse spends a large portion of its
time, its motions are peculiarly graceful. It walks with an elevated firm
step, opening its beautiful tail gently and with a well-marked jet, holding
erect its head, the feathers of which are frequently raised, as are the velvety
tufts of its neck. It poises its body on one foot for several seconds at
a time, and utters a soft cluck, which in itself implies a degree of confidence
in the bird that its tout ensemble is deserving of the notice of any
bystander. Should the bird discover that it is observed, its step immediately
changes to a rapid run, its head is lowered, the tail is more widely
spread, and if no convenient hiding-place is at hand, it immediately takes
flight with as much of the whirring sound as it can produce, as if to prove
to the observer, that, when on wing, it cares as little about him as the
deer pretends to do, when, on being started by the hound, he makes several
lofty bounds, and erects his tail to the breeze. Should the Grouse,
however, run into a thicket, or even over a place where many dried leaves
lie on the ground, it suddenly stops, squats, and remains close until the
danger is over, or until it is forced by a dog or the sportsman himself to
rise against its wish.
The shooting of Grouse of this species is precarious, and at times very
difficult, on account of the nature of the places which they usually prefer.
Should, for instance, a covey of these birds be raised from amongst
Laurels (Kalmia latifolid) or the largest species of Bay (Rhododendron
maximum), these shrubs so intercept the view of them, that, unless the
sportsman proves quite an adept in the difficult art of pulling the trigger
of his gun at the proper moment, and quickly, his first chance is lost, and
the next is very uncertain. I say still more uncertain, because at this
putting up of the birds, they generally rise higher over the bushes, flying
in a straight course, whereas at the second start, they often fly among the
laurels, and rise above them in a circuitous manner, when to follow them
along the barrel of the gun is considerably more difficult. Sometimes,
when these birds are found on the sides of a steep hill, the moment they
start, they dive towards the foot of the declivity, take a turn, and fly off
in a direction so different from the one expected, that unless the sportsman
is aware of the trick, he may not see them again that day. The young
birds often prove equally difficult to be obtained, for as they are raised
from amongst the closely tangled laurels, they only fly a few yards, and
again drop among them. A smart cur-dog generally proves the best kind
on these occasions; for no sooner does he start a covey of Ruffed Grouse
than his barking alarms the birds as much as the report of a gun, and
causes them to rise and alight on the nearest trees, on which they may be
shot at with great success.
This leads me to remark, that the prevailing notion which exists in almost
every district where these birds are numerous, that on firing at the
lowest bird perched on a tree, the next above will not fly, and that by
continuing to shoot at the lowest in succession, the whole may be killed,
is contradicted by my experience; for on every attempt which I have
made to shoot several in this manner on the same tree, my efforts have
proved unsuccessful, unless indeed during a fall of snow, when I have
killed three and sometimes four. The same cause produces the same effect
on different birds. It may happen, however, that in districts covered
with deep snow for several weeks, during severe winters, these birds, becoming
emaciated and weak, may stand a repetition of shots from a person
determined to shoot Grouse even when they are good for nothing; but,
kind reader, this barbarous taste is, I hope, no more yours than it is mine.
During spring, and towards the latter part of autumn, at which times
the Ruffed Grouse is heard drumming from different parts of the woods
to which it resorts, I have shot many a fine cock by imitating the sound
of its own wings striking against the body, which I did by beating a large
inflated bullock's bladder with a stick, keeping up as much as possible the
same time as that in which the bird beats. At the sound produced by
the bladder and the stick, the male Grouse, inflamed with jealousy, has
flown directly towards me, when, being prepared, I have easily shot it.
An equally successful stratagem is employed to decoy the males of our
little Partridge by imitating the call-note of the female during spring
and summer; but in no instance, after repeated trials, have' I been able
to entice the Pinnated Grouse to come towards me, whilst imitating the
booming sounds of that bird.
Early in spring, these birds are frequently seen feeding on the tender
buds of different trees, and at that season are more easily approached than
at any other. Unfortunately, however, they have not by this time recovered
their flesh sufficiently to render them worthy of the attention of
a true sportsman, although their flavour has already improved. When
our mountains are covered with a profusion of Huckleberries and Whortleberries,
about the beginning of September, then is the time for shooting
this species, and enjoying the delicious food which it affords.
The Ruffed Grouse, on alighting upon a tree, after being raised from