SCRATCHERS: PIGEONS AND GROUSE. 87 



them live mainly upon the ground, and all feed upon 

 seeds, grain, nuts, and berries. The Rasores are very 

 important to man, their flesh furnishing him with some 

 of his choicest food. Excepting the Doves and Pigeons, 

 they are able to run as soon as hatched. 



PIGEONS. 



The Wild Pigeon, of North America, is about as large 

 as a dove, with a very long tail, and the color above is 



Fig. 142. Wild Pigeon. 



blue, under parts reddish, and the neck glossy golden 

 violet. It flies very rapidly, and sometimes millions 

 move together, darkening the air like a cloud, and, on 

 alighting, fill forests, and even break down large trees 

 by their weight. 



GROUSE. 



The Prairie Chicken, Ruffed Grouse, Ptarmigans, 

 &c. come under this head. 



The Prairie Chicken, as large as a common hen, has 



