T44 CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR SABBATH HOURS.

is larger than any other kind found in The Black Grouse. In this picture we
this country. have a quiet and lovely landscape. In
 The Pinnated Grouse is found quite the foreground, and upon the borders of
abundantly on our western prairies. Its this placid sheet of waters, are grasses
plumage is fine and quite prettily deco- and shrubs and pretty wild flowers, and
rated. It is commonly called the prairie beyond the lake are larger shrubs and
hen or chicken. Once it was found in trees.
the Eastern States, but its flesh is such But all this is intended as only the
excellent food for mankind, it has been background and drapery-as in a picture
hunted down and driven westward. Its -to exhibit more distinctly these wild
food, like that of most other kinds of birds, the black grouse.
grouse, is simple and plain. Its favorite The Ruffed Grouse is the only other
dishes are berries, acorns, buds and one of which we will speak; and this,
leaves, very likely, you have seen. It is corn-
 While the females are setting, the mon in the Eastern States, and is usually,
males go through some queer perform- although improperly, called the partridge.
ances, which I suppose they regard im- It is a large and beautiful bird, living in
portant, but which do not appear to us, the woods, and preferring spots where
particularly sensible. They have what there are evergreen trees, and hills, and
is called their scratching place, to which streams. If you go into the woods often,
they repair at break of day, sometimes you have, very likely, seen it start up
to the number of forty or fifty. Here suddenly, with a loud whizzing noise
they have a general strut, and display of that has almost frightened you. It loves
feathers, and spreading of tails. They to walk in well trodden paths, and its step
look haughty, and act defiantly and in- is very dignified and majestic. You will
sultingly, and now and then utter a men- find it difficult, however, to catch a sight
acing note. When they can endure each of it when it is walking in this manner.
other's pride and insults no longer, they Generally, the first that you will know of
pitch into one another, cackling and its being near you, will be by the whizzing
screaming, and fighting almost as say- sound of its wings as it starts up in alarm.
agely as tigers. We suppose they like No doubt you have heard a peculiar
this, or they would not do it, but it is drumming sound in the woods, which,
certainly to be hoped that creatures en- dying away, seemed almost like distant
dowed with reason will not imitate them; thunder. The male bird makes this
and yet men do fight each other some- sound by inflating his body and beating
times, and he who can wound and kill the air with short and quick, and shorter
the most is considered the best fellow, and quicker strokes of his wings.
If wise men do so, we ought not to find Have you ever met the ruffed grouse
much fault with foolish prairie cocks. with a brood of her young chickens ? If