toward the sound, slowly and with infinite precaution, we discovered
that we were not the only ones going to the dance: the whirring of
wings frequently rustled overhead as ruffed grouse skimmed past us in
rapid flight.

"Once, my son, we felt the wind from a hawk's wing swooping low from
bush to bush, as though endeavouring to arrive unheralded. Twice we
caught sight of a fox silently and craftily stealing along. Once we
saw a lynx--a soft gray shadow--slinking through the undergrowth ahead.
It seemed as if all the Strong Woods dwellers were going to the love
dance, too, and, I remember, Ojistoh began to feel afraid. But,"
smiled Oo-koo-hoo, "she was devoured with curiosity; and, besides, was
not her young lover with her? Why need she fear?

"When we came to the foot of a ridge the drumming sounded very near.
With utmost wariness we crawled from bush to bush, pausing every now
and then, and crouching low. Then, judging the way still clear, we
crawled forward, and finally gained the top of the ridge. With
thumping hearts we rested a moment in a crouching posture, for we had
at last arrived upon the scene. Slowly and breathlessly raising our
heads, we peered through the leafy screen and beheld the love dance in
full swing.

"And there, my son, on a clear sandy opening in the wood, twenty or
thirty partridge hens were dancing in a semicircle, in the centre of
which, perched upon a rotten log, a beautiful cock partridge drummed.
He was standing with his small head thrust forward upon a finely arched
neck which was circled by a handsome outstanding black ruff, fully as
wide as his body. His extended wings grazed his perch, while his
superb tail spread out horizontally.