300 THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 



CHAPTER XII. 



SHARP-TAILED GROUSE BALD-HEADED EAGLE MOSQUITOS 



LAGOMTS MINIMUS (NOV. SP.) HUMMINGBIRDS UROTRICHUS. 



THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE (Pedioccetes Phasia- 

 nellus, Baird ; Tetrao Phasianellus, Linn. ; Centro- 

 cercus Phasianellus, Jardine ; Phasianus Colum- 

 biamis, Ord.) Specific characters : The tail 

 consists of eighteen feathers prevailing colours 

 black, white, and umber -yellow ; the back 

 marked with transverse bars, the wings with 

 round conspicuous white spots under pure 

 white ; the breast and sides thickly marked with 

 Y-shaped blotches of dark-brown ; length about 

 18-00; wing, 8'50; tail, 5'23 inches. 



This beautiful bird is alike estimable, whether 

 we consider him in reference to his field qualities 

 (therein being all a grouse ought to be, rising 

 with a loud rattling whirr, and going off straight 

 as an arrow, lying well to dogs, and frequenting 

 open grassy prairies), or viewed as a table dainty, 



