Birds 71 



The Tetraonidae of Colorado are divided into six genera. 

 Lagopus leucurus, the Ptarmigan, is easily known by the densely 

 feathered tarsus and toes, an adaptation for walking on snow. 

 It inhabits the high mountains, and turns white in winter. Our 

 form was named L. leucurus altipetens by Osgood. The Gray 

 Ruffled Grouse (Bonasa umbellus umbelloides of Douglas) is known 

 by the black ruff at base of neck; it is very rare with us.* The 

 long and attenuated tail distinguishes the large Sage-hen (Cen- 

 trocercus urophasianus); the specific name, given by Bonaparte, 

 means tail-pheasant. It is found in the region of the sage-brush 

 {Artemisia)**. In the Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) the 

 tail is long but not attenuated. This is the familiar grouse of our 

 mountains, found among the timber. The Prairie Chicken 

 (Tympanuchus americanus) has a slightly crested head, and the 

 neck with two long tufts of feathers over the bare yellow disten- 

 sible tympanum or wattle. It is a bird of the Mississippi Valley, 

 gradually extending westward owing to conditions created by 

 human occupation. The Sharp-tailed Grouse (Pediocoetes) have 

 a naked patch over the eye with yellow papillae, the short tail 

 has 18 strongly graduated feathers. The Prairie Sharp-tailed 

 Grouse (P. phasianellus campestris) belongs to the prairie region 

 east of the mountains, but is now scarce. In Western Colorado 

 it appears to be replaced by the more buffy and grayish P. p. 

 columbianus, which was originally described from the plains of the 

 Columbia River drainage. Lincoln has recently described a new 

 race, P. p. jamesi, the type from Castle Rock. 



It is now necessary to add still another family to this group, 

 the Old World Phasianidae, represented by the Ring-necked 

 Pheasant (Phasianus torquatus), which has become common where 

 it has been introduced. 



COLUMBAE 



The Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macrura marginella), with 

 wedge-shaped tail, is one of our commonest birds, often seen sit- 

 ting on fence posts. The Band-tailed Pigeon (Chloroenas fasciata) 



*Mr. Warren writes that he doubts the published records: Mr. F. Lincoln investigated 

 the matter, and could not find any satisfactory evidence. Professor Henderson agrees with 

 Mr. Warren. 



**Sclater, and many other non-botanical authors, insist on spelling this word Artemesia, 

 as if they had never seen the name Artemis. 



