PLOVERS. 61.

Grouse, or Partridge. The first of these inhabits evergreen tracts and swamps, while the other fre- quents dry hardwoods and uplands. Both are quite common, particularly in less cultivated districts, where they feed on berries of heath plants and brambles in summer and on the seeds and buds of birches in winter.

The Ruffed Grouse has a conspicuous ruffle of dark feathers on each side of its neck. Dur- ins,r the breeding season, in May and- June, it has the habit of making a peculiar drumming noise, by beating the air with its wings. This muffled drumming of the Partridge, on dull, quiet spring days, is one of the most peculiar and weird undertones of wood—land scenes. l’art- ridges nest on the ground, in a retired spruce thicket, laying about a dozen eggs.

MW

mater fiirhs.

PLOV'ERS.

Leaving the Land Birds, we now turn to the great section of the feathered families consisting

of birds which are seldom found except by the