Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1903-10-22

New York Sun: A particular descrip-
ton of the manner In which the male
grouse drums is given by Edward Banks
OF Price county, Wisconsin, who has
spent some time In observing 1t at this
pastime. II it may be called a pastime.
Banks has been building a cabin amid
the hcmlock woods near Long lake. 60
ing TO his work just after daybreak and
putting In all OF the day hours with ak
and saw
Early in May he heard Il grouse drum
ming. AS usual the sound seemed to be
a long way OFF. but he decided to tnvesti-
gate and began moving softly among the
trees. He ound the bird within fifty
yards. got within twenty yards of 1t, hid
behind a big birch and watched 1t.
The grouse stood upon Il dead log near
ly three feet through and bare OF bark.
1t was standing motionlcss when Banks
saw 1t. apparently half asleep.
Soon 1T began to show signs of uneasi-
ness. poking its head first to the left and
then to the right. Then it sQuatted,
bringing its breast within an inch of the
log and began to drum.
The drumming lasted for eight or ten
seconds. then ceased. and the bird be-
came once more erect. Fully five min
utes elapsed before it drummed again.
So long as he watched it. intervals of
from three to five minutes passed be-
tween the drummlnKS.
1t always preceded the drummings b,
the signs of uneasiness. moving its head
to right and left, sometimes shifting its
feet upon the log Just before the drum
mings started, when 1t had squatted into
position, 1t spread out the gray feathers
of its tail as widely as they would go.
making Il fan just as the turkey gObbler
spreads its tail when it struts.
This fan the grouse brought down upon
H. H. --I TN -: IL
against the timber as tightly as possible.
and 1t kept it so while the drumming last
ed, not relaxing the tension until the last
sound had ceased. While drumming the
head vas stretched far forward and the
neck was rigid.
The bird always began its drumming
by TWO or three tentative flaps. given
slowly and producing only a softly muf-
fled noise. 1t seemed TO be doubtful of
it's ability to drum and appeared to be
trying how it would go.
After these two or three flaps it brought
its wings sharply against its body and
sailed out into the full tide of its instru-
mentation. The strokes. at first slow. in
creased swiftly In rapidity, finally merg-
ing into the thunderous roll made by the
wings of the grouse when in full flight.
Then the drumming ceased abruptly. not
shading down into slowness and softness
as it had begun.
Sometimes, having completed its beats,
the grouse would walk up and down on
the log for two or three feet, evidently
immensely proud of itself. Always when
the drumming was resumed. 1t took its
original position. standing with its feet
In exactly the same place.
In making this sound the rear edges OF
the wings Were brought down and for
ward. The grouse. in fact, seemed to be
scooping its wings forward and slapping
itself upon the breast in much the same
manner as u man slaps himself upon the
chest in cold weather. only. of course. the
wings were not crossed. The wings were
brought as far Harvard as possible and
outstretched before they were slammed
against the body.
On every clear day since then this
grouse has drummed on the same log
standing in the same place. 1t keeps II
up for hours in the morning, goes away
shortly before noon and returns about Z
o'clock in the afternoon. drumming near.
1y until sunset at intervals of five min.
utes.
Banks is certain that it does not brush
the log with the tips of its wings and
that such contact has not part in produc.
ing the hollow, thunderous notes of the
drum. There Is short green moss on the
log where the grouse stands, and though
the bird has drummed there not less thar
a dozen times this moss shows no sign,
of having been disturbed.
Banks is certain that the female is nest
ing somewhere near. When the hen Il
sitting the male bird does not wander fal
from the nest.