SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 615 



long and considerably rounded, the feathers lanceolate, and gradu- 

 ally attenuated to a fine point of a dusky color. 



In the female, the upper plumage generally as well as the front 

 of the neck, and sides of the breast, is dark umber, or blackish-brown 

 and yellowish- white, irregularly barred and mottled in nearly equal 

 quantities ; but the dark color forming larger blotches towards the 

 base, and the lighter one bars on the tips and stripes on the shafts. 

 Fore part of the belly white, barred with black ; hinder parts black. 



SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 



(Tetrao (Centrocercus) phasianellus, Swaixs. North. Zool. ii. p. 

 361. Penn. Arct. Zool. ii. No. 181. Nutt. Man. Orn. i. p. 

 669.) 



The northern limit of the range of this species, accord- 

 ing to Richardson, is Great Slave Lake, in 61° ; and its 

 most southern recorded station is in 41°, on the Missouri. 

 It abounds on the outskirts of the Saskatchewan plains, 

 and is found throughout the woody districts of the fur-coun- 

 tries, in open glades and thickets on the borders of lakes, 

 particularly in the partially cleared tracts contiguous to the 

 trading posts. In winter, like the Pinnated Grouse, it 

 perches generally on trees, but in summer it is much on the 

 ground ; and is at all times associated in coveys of 10 to 16 

 individuals. Early in spring, a family of these birds selects 

 a level spot, whereon they meet every morning, and run 

 round in a circle of 15 or 20 feet diameter, on which the 

 grass becomes worn quite bare. On approaching this ring, 

 the birds squat close to the ground, but in a short time 

 stretch out their necks to survey the intruder, and if not 

 scared by any nearer advance, they soon resume their circu- 

 lar course, some running to the right, and others to the left, 

 thus meeting and crossing each other. These " Partridge- 

 dances" last for a month or more, until concluded by the 



