Birds of America 
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME V.
THE RUFFED GROUSE.
[Ruffed Grouse.]
TETRAO UMBELLUS, Linn.
[Bonasa umbellus.]
PLATE CCXCIII.--MALES AND FEMALE.
You are now presented, kind reader, with a species of Grouse, which,
in my humble opinion, far surpasses as an article of food every other land-bird
which we have in the United States, except the Wild Turkey, when in good
condition. You must not be surprised that I thus express an opinion contradictory
to that of our Eastern epicures, who greatly prefer the flesh of the Pinnated
Grouse to that of the present species, for I have had abundant opportunity
of knowing both. Perhaps, after all, the preference may depend upon a peculiarity
in my own taste; or I may give the superiority to the Ruffed Grouse, because
it is as rarely met with in the Southern States, where I have chiefly resided,
as the Pinnated Grouse is in the Middle Districts; and were the bon-vivants
of our eastern cities to be occasionally satiated with the latter birds,
as I have been, they might possibly think their flesh as dry and flavourless
as I do.
The names of Pheasant and Partridge have been given to the present species
by our forefathers, in the different districts where it is found. To the
west of the Alleghanies, and on those mountains, the first name is generally
used. The same appellation is employed in the Middle Districts, to the
east of the mountains, and until you enter the State of Connecticut; after
which that of Partridge prevails.
The Ruffed Grouse, although a constant resident in the districts which
it frequents, performs partial sorties at the approach of autumn. These
are not equal in extent to the peregrinations of the Wild Turkey, our little
Partridge, or the Pinnated Grouse, but are sufficiently so to become observable
during the seasons when certain portions of the mountainous districts which
they inhabit becomes less abundantly supplied with food than others. These
partial movings might not be noticed, were not the birds obliged to fly
across rivers of great breadth, as whilst in the mountain lands their groups
are as numerous as those which attempt these migrations; but on the north-west
banks of the Ohio and Susquehanna rivers, no one who pays the least attention
to the manners and habits of our birds, can fail to observe them. The Grouse
approach the banks of the Ohio in parties of eight or ten, now and then
of twelve or fifteen, and, on arriving there, linger in the woods close
by for a week or a fortnight, as if fearful of encountering the danger
to be incurred in crossing the stream. This usually happens in the beginning
of October, when these birds are in the very best order for the table,
and at this period great numbers of them are killed. If started from the
ground, with or without the assistance of a dog, they immediately alight
on the nearest trees, and are easily shot. At length, however, they resolve
upon crossing the river; and this they accomplish with so much ease, that
I never saw any of them drop into the water. Not more than two or three
days elapse after they have reached the opposite shore, when they at once
proceed to the interior of the forests, in search of places congenial to
the general character of their habits. They now resume their ordinary manner
of living, which they continue until the approach of spring, when the males,
as if leading the way, proceed singly towards the country from which they
had retreated. The females follow in small parties of three or four. In
the month of October 1820, I observed a larger number of Ruffed Grouse
migrating thus from the States of Ohio, Illinois and Indiana into Kentucky,
than I had ever before remarked. During the short period of their lingering
along the north-west shore of the Ohio that season, a great number of them
were killed, and they were sold in the Cincinnati market for so small a
sum as 12 1/2 cents each.
Although these birds are particularly attached to the craggy sides of
mountains and hills, and the rocky borders of rivers and small streams,
thickly mantled with evergreen trees and small shrubs of the same nature,
they at times remove to low lands, and even enter the thickest cane-brakes,
where they also sometimes breed. I have shot some, and have heard them
drumming in such places, when there were no hills nearer than fifteen or
twenty miles. The lower parts of the State of Indiana and also those of
Kentucky, are amongst the places where I have discovered them in such situations.
The charming groves which here and there contrast so beautifully with
the general dull appearance of those parts of Kentucky and Tennessee, to
which the name of Barrens is given, are sought by the Ruffed Grouse. These
groves afford them abundant food and security. The gentle coolness that
prevails in them during the summer heat is agreeable and beneficial to
these birds, and the closeness of their undergrowth in other spots moderates
the cold blasts of winter. There this species breeds, and is at all times
to be found. Their drumming is to be heard issuing from these peaceful
retreats in early spring, at the same time that the booming of their relative,
the Pinnated Grouse, is recognised, as it reaches the ear of the traveller,
from the different parts of the more open country around. In such places
as the groves just mentioned, the species now before you, kind reader,
is to be met with, as you travel towards the south, through the whole of
Tennessee and the Choctaw Territory; but as you approach the city of Natchez
they disappear, nor have I ever heard of one of these birds having been
seen in the State of Louisiana.
The mountainous parts of the Middle States being more usually the chosen
residence of this species, I shall, with your permission, kind reader,
return to them, and try to give you an account of this valuable Grouse.
The flight of the Ruffed Grouse is straight-forward, rather low, unless
when the bird has been disturbed, and seldom protracted beyond a few hundred
yards at a time. It is also stiff, and performed with a continued beating
of the wings for more than half its duration, after which the bird sails
and seems to balance its body as it proceeds through the air, in the manner
of a vessel sailing right before the wind. When this bird rises from the
ground at a time when pursued by an enemy, or tracked by a dog, it produces
a loud whirring sound, resembling that of the whole tribe, excepting the
Black Cock of Europe, which has less of it than any other species. This
whirring sound is never heard when the Grouse rises of its own accord,
for the purpose of removing from one place to another; nor, in similar
circumstances, is it commonly produced by our little Partridge. In fact,
I do not believe that it is emitted by any species of Grouse, unless when
surprised and forced to rise. I have often been lying on the ground in
the woods or the fields for hours at a time, for the express purpose of
observing the movements and habits of different birds, and have frequently
seen a Partridge or a Grouse rise on wing from within a few yards of the
spot in which I lay unobserved by them, as gently and softly as any other
bird, and without producing any whirring sound. Nor even when this Grouse
ascends to the top of a tree, does it make any greater noise than other
birds of the same size would do.
I have said this much respecting the flight of Grouse, because it is
a prevalent opinion, both among sportsmen and naturalists, that the whirring
sound produced by birds of that genus, is a necessary effect of their usual
mode of flight. But that this is an error, I have abundantly satisfied
myself by numberless observations.
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 latifolia) 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 time
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
the ground, perches amongst the thickest parts of the foliage, and, assuming
at once an erect attitude, stands perfectly still, and remains silent until
all appearance of danger has vanished. If discovered when thus perched,
it is very easily shot. On rising from the ground, the bird utters a cackling
note repeated six or seven times, and before taking wing emits a lisping
sort of whistle, which seems as if produced by the young of another bird,
and is very remarkable.
When the ground is covered with snow sufficiently soft to allow this
bird to conceal itself under it, it dives headlong into it with such force
as to form a hole several yards in length, re-appears at that distance,
and continues to elude the pursuit of the sportsman by flight. They are
sometimes caught while beneath the snow. Many of them are taken alive in
trap boxes during winter, although the more common method of catching or
rather destroying them is by setting dead falls with a figure-of-four trigger.
Early in April, the Ruffed Grouse begins to drum immediately after dawn,
and again towards the close of day. As the season advances, the drumming
is repeated more frequently at all hours of the day; and where these birds
are abundant, this curious sound is heard from all parts of the woods in
which they reside. The drumming is performed in the following manner. The
male bird, standing erect on a prostrate decayed trunk, raises the feathers
of its body, in the manner of a Turkey-cock, draws its head towards its
tail, erecting the feathers of the latter at the same time, and raising
its ruff around the neck, suffers its wings to droop, and struts about
on the log. A few moments elapse, when the bird draws the whole of its
feathers close to its body, and stretching itself out, beats its sides
with its wings, in the manner of the domestic Cock, but more loudly, and
with such rapidity of motion, after a few of the first strokes, as to cause
a tremor in the air not unlike the rumbling of distant thunder. This, kind
reader, is the "drumming" of the Pheasant. In perfectly calm
weather, it may be heard at the distance of two hundred yards, but might
be supposed to proceed from a much greater distance. The female, which
never drums, flies directly to the place where the male is thus engaged,
and, on approaching him, opens her wings before him, balances her body
to the right and left, and then receives his caresses.
The same trunk is resorted to by the same birds during the season, unless
they are frequently disturbed. These trunks are easily known by the quantity
of excrements and feathers about them. The males have the liberty of promiscuous
concubinage, although not to such an extent as those of the Pinnated Grouse.
They have frequent and severe battles at this season, which, although witnessed
by the females, are never interrupted by them. The drumming sounds of these
birds lead to their destruction, every young sportsman taking the unfair
advantage of approaching them at this season, and shooting them in the
act.
About the beginning of May, the female retires to some thicket in a
close part of the woods, where she forms a nest. This is placed by the
side of a prostrate tree, or at the foot of a low bush, on the ground,
in a spot where a heap of dried leaves has been formed by the wind. The
nest is composed of dried leaves and herbaceous plants. The female lays
from five to twelve eggs, which are of a uniform dull yellowish colour,
and are proportionate in size to the bird. The latter never covers them
on leaving the nest, and in consequence, the Raven and the Crow, always
on the look out for such dainties, frequently discover and eat them. When
the female is present, however, she generally defends them with great obstinacy,
striking the intruder with her wings and feet, in the manner of the Common
Hen.
The young run about and follow the mother, the moment after they leave
the egg. They are able to fly for a few yards at a time, when only six
or seven days old, and still very small. The mother leads them in search
of food, covers them at night with her wings, and evinces the greatest
care and affection towards them on the least appearance of danger, trying
by every art in her power to draw the attention of her enemies to herself,
feigning lameness, tumbling and rolling about as if severely wounded, and
by this means generally succeeding in saving them. The little ones squat
at the least chuck of alarm from the mother, and lie so close as to suffer
one to catch them in the hand, should he chance to discover them, which,
however, it is very difficult to do. The males are then beginning to associate
in small parties, and continue separated from the females until the approach
of winter, when males, females, and young mingle together. During summer,
these birds are fond of dusting themselves, and resort to the roads for
that purpose, as well as to pick up gravel. I have observed this species
copulating towards autumn, but have not been able to account for this unseasonable
procedure, as only one brood is raised in the season.
These birds have various enemies besides man. Different species of Hawks
destroy them, particularly the Red-tailed Hawk and the Cooper's Hawk. The
former watches their motions from the tops of trees, and falls upon them
with the swiftness of thought, whilst the latter seizes upon them as he
glides rapidly through the woods. Pole-cats, weasels, racoons, opossums,
and foxes, are all destructive foes to them. Of these, some are content
with sucking their eggs, while others feed on their flesh.
I have found these birds most numerous in the States of Pennsylvania
and New York. They are brought to the markets in great numbers, during
the winter months, and sell at from 75 cents to a dollar apiece, in the
eastern cities. At Pittsburg I have bought them, some years ago, for 12
1/2 cents the pair. It is said that when they have fed for several weeks
on the leaves of the Kalmia latifolia, it is dangerous to eat their flesh,
and I believe laws have been passed to prevent their being sold at that
season. I have, however, eaten them at all seasons, and although I have
found their crops distended with the leaves of the Kalmia, have never felt
the least inconvenience after eating them, nor even perceived any difference
of taste in their flesh. I suspect it is only when the birds have been
kept a long time undrawn and unplucked, that the flesh becomes impregnated
with the juice of these leaves.
The food of this species consists of seeds and berries of all kinds,
according to the season. It also feeds on the leaves of several species
of evergreens, Although these are only resorted to when other food has
become scarce. They are particularly fond of fox-grapes and winter-grapes,
as well as strawberries and dewberries. To procure the latter, they issue
from the groves of the Kentucky Barrens, and often stray to the distance
of a mile. They roost on trees, amongst the thickest parts of the foliage,
sitting at some distance from each other, and may easily be smoked to death,
by using the necessary precautions.
I cannot conclude this article, kind reader, without observing how desirable
the acquisition of this species might be to the sportsmen of Europe, and
especially to those of England, where I am surprised it has not yet been
introduced. The size of these birds, the beauty of their plumage, the excellence
of their flesh, and their peculiar mode of flying, would render them valuable,
and add greatly to the interest of the already diversified sports of that
country. In England and Scotland there are thousands of situations that
are by nature perfectly suited to their habits, and I have not a doubt
that a few years of attention would be sufficient to render them quite
as common as the Grey Partridge.
It is now ascertained that this species extends over the whole breadth
of the Continent, it being found from our Atlantic districts to those bordering
the Pacific Ocean, Mr. TOWNSEND having observed it on the Missouri and
along the Columbia river, and Mr. DRUMMOND having procured specimens in
the valleys of the Columbia river. According to Dr. RICHARDSON, it reaches
northward as far as the 56th parallel, and spends the winter on the banks
of the Saskatchewan, where it is plentiful. It also exists in the Texas.
It is more abundant in our western, middle, and eastern districts than
in our southern states. In the maritime portions of South Carolina it does
not exist. In Massachusetts, Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, it
is very plentiful; but I saw none in Labrador, although I was assured that
it occurs there, and did not hear of it in Newfoundland.
RUFFED GROUSE, Tetrao umbellus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. vi. p.
46.
TETRAO UMBELLUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 126.
TETRAO UMBELLUS, Ruffed Grouse, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer.,
vol. ii. p. 342.
RUFFED GROUSE, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 657.
RUFFED GROUSE, Tetrao umbellus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 211;vol.
v. p. 560.
Male, 18, 24.
Common from Maryland to Labrador, and in the interior from the mountainous
districts to Canada and the Saskatchewan. Columbia river. Resident.
Adult Male.
Bill short, robust, slightly arched, rather obtuse, the base covered
by feathers; upper mandible with the dorsal outline straight in the feathered
part, convex towards the end, the edges overlapping, the tip declinate;
under mandible somewhat bulging toward the tip, the sides convex. Nostrils
concealed among the feathers. Head and neck small. Body bulky. Feet of
ordinary length; tarsus feathered, excepting at the lower part anteriorly,
where it is scutellate, spurless; toes scutellate above, pectinated on
the sides; claws arched, depressed, obtuse.
Plumage compact, glossy. Feathers of the head narrow and elongated into
a curved tuft. A large space on the neck destitute of feathers, but covered
over by an erectile ruff of elongated feathers, of which the upper are
silky, shining, and curved forwards at the end, which is very broad and
rounded. Wings short, broad, much rounded and curved, the third and fourth
quills longest. Tail long, ample, rounded, of eighteen feathers.
Bill horn-colour, brownish-black towards the tip. Iris hazel. Feet yellowish-grey.
Upper part of the head and hind part of the neck bright yellowish-red.
Back rich chestnut, marked with oblong white spots, margined with black.
Upper wing-coverts similar to the back. Quills brownish-dusky, their outer
webs pale reddish, spotted with dusky. Upper tail-coverts banded with black.
Tail reddish-yellow, barred and minutely mottled with black, and terminated
by a broad band of the latter colour, between two narrow bands of bluish-white,
of which one is terminal. A yellowish-white band from the upper mandible
to the eye, beyond which it is prolonged. Throat and lower part of the
neck light brownish-yellow. Lower ruff feathers of the same colour, barred
with reddish-brown, the upper black, with blue reflections. A tuft of light
chestnut feathers under the wings. The rest of the under parts yellowish-white,
with broad transverse spots of brownish-red; the abdomen yellowish-red;
and the under tail-coverts mottled with brown.
Length 18 inches, extent of wings 2 feet; bill along the ridge 3/4,
along the gap 1 1/2; tarsus 1 7/12, middle toe 1 3/4.
Adult Female.
The plumage of the female is less developed and inferior in beauty.
The feathers of the head and ruff are less elongated, the latter of a duller
black. The tints of the plumage generally are lighter than in the male.
A remarkable difference of plumage is observed in specimens from the
opposite parts of the continent, those from the eastern districts being
invariably much greyer, especially on the tail-feathers, than those procured
along the Ohio, or in Virginia. These constant differences have tempted
some persons to suppose that we have two nearly allied species, instead
of one; but after the closest examination of all their parts, as well as
of their habits, I never could find any thing tending to support this supposition.
In some instances, the eggs of what I conceive a young female, have proved
much smaller than others, and Dr. T. M. BREWER has procured in Massachusetts
a laying of them minutely spotted with dull reddish-brown, on a ground
of a light salmon colour. The eggs usually measure an inch and a half in
length, by an inch and two-twelfths in breadth, and are of a uniform dull
yellowish tint.
In this species the palate is flat, with two longitudinal ridges converging
anteriorly; the space between these ridges and the slit covered with small
papillae. The tongue is triangular, flattened, sagittate and papillate
at the base, 9 twelfths long, fleshy and pointed. The width of the mouth
is 8 twelfths. The liver is extremely small, its lobes equal, and 1 inch
in length. The heart is also small, 11 twelfths long, 7 twelfths in breadth.
The oesophagus, [a b f], is 7 1/4 inches in length; for three inches, [a
b], it has a width of only 5 twelfths; it then enlarges to form a vast
crop, [b c d], 3 1/2 inches in breadth, and 2 1/2 inches in length, that
part of it connected with which is 1 inch 5 twelfths in length; it then
contracts to 1/2 inch, [e]; the proventriculus, [e f], 7 1/2 twelfths in
breadth. The stomach, [c d], is a very powerful muscular gizzard, 1 inch
8 twelfths long, 1 inch 9 twelfths broad; the inferior muscle very large,
1 twelfth thick; the lateral muscles extremely developed, the left 6 twelfths,
the right 5 twelfths in thickness; the epithelium thick, tough, yellowish-brown,
with two concave surfaces, which are deeply grooved longitudinally. The
proventricular glands are large, 3 twelfths long, occupying a space of
only 7 twelfths of an inch in breadth. The duodenum, [h i], curves at the
distance of 4 inches. The intestine, [h i j k], is 4 feet 1 inch long;
the coeca come off at the distance of 6 1/4 inches from the extremity;
one of them 17 1/2, the other 16 1/2 inches long; their width for three
inches 4 twelfths, in the rest of their extent 6 twelfths; they are narrowed
toward the end, and terminate in a blunt nipple-like point; their inner
surface has 7 longitudinal ridges, and they are filled with a pultaceous
mass. The width of the duodenum is 5 1/2 twelfths; that of the greater
part of the rest of the intestine 6 twelfths; the cloaca, [k], is not enlarged.
The trachea is 6 inches long, rather slender, its breadth at the top
3 twelfths, at the lower part 2 1/2 twelfths. The rings are feeble and
unossified, 100 in number. There are no inferior laryngeal muscles. The
bronchi are very short, rather wide, of about 12 half rings. The lateral
muscles are rather large, the sterno-tracheal slips moderate.
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