The Birds of Wyoming. 57 



309. Centrocercus urophasianus (Bonap.). 

 Sage Grouse. 

 Resident ; very common. Of all the grouse this is the most 

 abundant and occurs all over the state, ranging from the lowest 

 elevations up to 8,000 feet. They nest away from water, and 

 on the Laramie plains commence to lay between the first and 

 tenth of May. The nests are usually partially hidden in sage 

 brush and are made of grass and imperfectly lined with feathers. 

 The young apparently do without water until they are large 

 enough to fly, which is usually about the last of June. After 

 reaching a spring or stream they remain near by and drink 

 at least twice a day. In some localities they are so numerous 

 that one can locate at least a dozen coveys in going a mile. 

 The young birds are excellent eating, but as soon as frost comes 

 they commence to feed upon sage, which makes their flesh very 

 rank. By the middle of September these birds rely almost en- 

 tirely upon the sage for food and do not change their diet until 

 spring time brings fresh vegetation and an abundance of in- 

 sects. I have noticed that these birds do not eat sage unless 

 they are driven to it. In localities where there are large alfalfa 

 fields the sage hens, as they are usually called, feed entirely 

 upon alfalfa as long as it remains green. 



PIGEONS. 



315. Ectopistes migratorius (Linn.). 



Passenger Pigeon. 

 Accidental. There is but one record for Wyoming of 

 this bird. McCarthy reports that he took a single specimen 40 

 miles west of Fort Laramie in 1859. Robert Ridgway informs 

 me that this report is correct. 



316. Zenaidura macroura (Linn.). 



Mourning Dove. 

 Summer resident ; verv common. They breed all over the 

 state up to an elevation of 8,000 feet. Usually they nest upon 



