Indian war dances perhaps originatel from watching these birds perform their mating dance. Like Prairie Chickens they gather in a favorite spot at dawn and at sunset. When the actors are all in their places, standing motionless, one will spread its wings, raise tail, lower head and run forward, stamping its feet so hard and quickly as to sound a tattoo, uttering a peculiar "bubbling crow." Pandemonium ensues — all join in the merriment, some sedately, others in wild abandon; twisting, circling, jumping over one another — even fighting — until the performance takes on the appearance of a lot of feathered maniacs released from confinement.

This extraordinary exhibition of energy continues until the mating season is over, and is revived in milder form during Autumn. Then they gather in flocks, frequenting woodland edges and often alighting in trees. They utter a sharp crackle when "taking off" and fly with quick wing beats, followed by motionless pinions, sailing swiftly in direct flight.