quential gestures, their looks of disdain, and their angry pride, as they
pass each other. Their tails are spread out and inclined forwards, to
meet the expanded feathers of their neck, which now, like stiffened frills,
lie supported by the globular orange-coloured receptacles of air, from
which their singular booming sounds proceed. Their wings, hke those
of the Turkey Cock, are stiffened and declined so as to rub and rustle on
the ground, as the bird passes rapidly along. Their bodies are depressed
towards the ground, the fire of their eyes evinces the pugnacious workings
of the mind, their notes fill the air around, and at the very first answer
from some coy female, the heated blood of the feathered warriors swells
every vein, and presently the battle rages. Like Game Cocks they strike,
and rise in the air to meet their assailants with greater advantage. Now
many close in the encounter ; feathers are seen whirling in the agitated
air, or falling around them tinged with blood. The weaker begin to give
way, and one after another seeks refuge in the neighbouring bushes.
The remaining few, greatly exhausted, maintain their ground, and with-
draw slowly and proudly, as if each claimed the honours of victory. The
vanquished and the victors then search for the females, who believing
each to have returned from the field in triumph, receive them with joy.
It not unfrequently happens that a male already mated is suddenly attacked by some disappointed rival, who unexpectedly pounces upon him after a flight of considerable length, having been attracted by the cacklings of the happy couple. The female invariably squats next to and almost under the breast of her lord, while he, always ready for action, throws himself on his daring antagonist, and chases him away never to return. Such is the moment which I have attempted to represent in the plate which you will find in the second volume of my "Illustrations."
In such places in the Western country as I have described, the "Prairie Hen" is heard "booming" or "tooting" not only before break of day, but frequently at all hours from morning until sunset; but in districts where these birds have become wild in consequence of the continual interference of man, they are seldom heard after sunrise, sometimes their meetings are noiseless, their battles are much less protracted or of less frequent occurrence, and their beats or scratching grounds are more concealed. Many of the young males have battles even in autumn, when the females generally join, not to fight, but to conciliate them, in the manner of the Wild Turkeys.
