Front:
minn
tallan Brooks
RUFFED GROUSE
Published by the National Association of Audubon Societies
Back:
No. 5 Ruffed Grouse
Length 17 inches
which, in certain se log1Med Grouse disease
This unique and splendid game bird has long
been both the delight and the despair of sports-
men, for its life is spent in thick woods, in se-
cluded swamps, or on densely forested hillsides.
When surprised in such haunts, it springs inta tosa
air with a rush and whir of wings that are family
startling. The difficulties attending its hunting are,
Perhaps the best-known characteristic of this
bird is its remarkable habit of drumming while
perched on some low limb or log. The sound is
emitted by a series of rapid wing-beats and is
commonest during the mating season.
The nest of the Ruffled Grouse is a slight cavity,
lined with leaves, usually at the base of a tree or
stump. Eight to twelve pale buff-colored eggs are
laid.
Grouse have been declining of favor-
Classification: Order Gallina. Family Tetraonida.
Scientific name: Bonasa umbellus.
Range: From the northern tier of states, south to
North Carolina, Tennesssee and Arkansas; west from
eastern Canada to Alaska.
No. 5 from set of 50 Winter Birds of the Northeastern United
States. Published by the National Association of Audubon So-
cieties, 1974 Broadway, New York City. Price per set, in a box,
$1.00 post paid.
