The Mentor: Game Birds of America, Vol. 1, Num. 34, Serial No. 34

This volume opens a vivid portrait of North America’s game birds, guided by the keen eye of a state ornithologist who blends scientific detail with the excitement of first encounters. From the ruffed grouse’s sudden, thunder‑filled flight that startled a child hunting a rabbit, to the quiet, rhythmic drumming of males in the forest, the book captures the birds’ habits and voices with an almost tactile clarity.

The text follows the life of the grouse’s nest, describing its shallow hollow, the surprising number of eggs, and the mother’s relentless guardianship against predators. Observations of hatchlings learning to move, forage, and stay together under their mother’s watchful care reveal a world where instinct and strategy intertwine. Though the focus begins with the ruffed grouse, the narrative promises further excursions into the lives of turkeys, geese, and other game birds, inviting listeners to experience the wonder and urgency of their dwindling presence in the wild.