82 Bird - Lore
Only once did she deign to take a few kernels of corn into her mouth. By much coaxing, he finally succeeded in touching the bird. After that the Grouse showed Very little fear. When Mr. Rand called "Chickee,” "Chickee," the bird would come out of the woods and sit upon his knee. From his knee she would fly to his shoulder, and then to the ground. The bird would repeat this perform- ance a half dozen times, clueking contentedly the while.
One day Mr. Rand brought the Grouse [0 my home. a distance of three miles, to have photographs taken of it. To make sure she would not get away, he attached a long cord to the bird's leg; which precaution, however, was not neces- sary, as the Grouse showed little fear among strangers, The accom- panying picture shows the Grouse resting confidingly in his hands. Our bird upon this day made many new acquaintances. for every one was interested and wished to expe- rience the novelty of holding a live Ruffed Grouse, a bird so proverbially shy and wild, in his hand. At least thirty people handled the Grouse before the farmer returned the bird to her native home in the woods.
A week or so afterwards, my brother and I, accompanied by Mr. Rand. visited the haunts of the Grouse for the purpOSe of taking photographs of the bird in her native habitat, Mr. Rand said at this time that he had not seen the bird since he had taken her to the village; so we were anxious to learn how such familiar treatment had affected her. Mr. Rand called "Chickee," "Cliit‘kee,” but no answering "Quit," "Quit," came from the woods, as heretofore at his call. Then we made a systematic search of the woods, each one calling, "Chickee," "Chickee," but of no avail. We searched again and continued to search and call for over an hour, but no Grouse made her appearance. Surely, the bird must have resented the familiar treatment in her journey to the village and have gone to join the
A KUH‘ED GROUSE AND HER r'xoTEcTok
