“ Often the sides of the neck are further adorned by elongated feathers. The plumage is thick, soft, and handsome, but gay colors and patterns are absent; blacks, purples, and dark greens occur in some forms, but variegated browns, reds, and grays prevail in most species, and there is usually a considerable difference in color and ornamentation between the sexes and some seasonal changes; one genus (Lagopus) turns white in winter. (See Ptarmigan.) The grouse, as a rule, are birds of the forest, but some genera are found in open regions only, and the ptarmigans chiefly inhabit mountain-tops. ”

“ The food consists of seeds, berries, buds, leaves, insects, worms, small snails, and so on, varying with region, season, and opportunity. The nest is a rude bed of leaves, twigs, and the like, and from six to fifteen eggs are laid, which are brownish and spotted—among the ptarmigans very heavily. All except the ptarmigans are polygamous, and the cocks indulge in demonstrative courtships (see Capercaillie) , make various sounds with their wings (see below) , and contest fiercely for the possession of their harems, as is the habit of most gallinaceous birds. ”

“ One characteristic of this species—its ‘drumming’—is known to almost every one, yet the method of it is widely misunderstood. The sound is produced by the male only, and is most frequent and vigorous in the spring, when it may be regarded as a challenge to other cocks and for the entertainment of the hens ”

“ Certain spots, known as ‘scratching-places,’ seem to be specially appropriated for their displays and combats, and there considerable numbers often meet about daybreak and disperse again after the sun is up. ”

“ The males have many combats at the approach of the breeding season. Their voice is a low ‘tooting’ or ‘booming.’ They strut, after the manner of turkey-cocks, with wings let down to the ground, and neck-feathers erected. ”

“ In the southernmost parts of their range they associate with the prairie-chicken, and vary their habits northward only as their environment changes. The northern variety extends from the Saskatchewan Valley to the borders of the Arctic regions. ”