TETRAONID.E — THE GROUSE — CENTROCERCUS. 



535 



throat ami its sides with stitl'encil spinous featliers. AViiios with the ti'atliers raiher 

 sharp ; the primaries longer than the seconilaries. Nasal tbssa' extending very far for- 



C. rirnpjtnsiayius. 



ward; the length of enlmen hetween them two thirds the total length. Color mottled 

 yellowish above, with large hlaek patehes beneath. 



But one species is yet known, tlionyii tlie "sage fowls," said l" inluiliit 

 Lower California near lat. :52°, may very possibly prove distinct, few (d' litis 

 family having such a long range nortli and south as from 'oA" to 49°. 



The genus Ccntroccrcus jiresents se\-eral peculiarities among its allies, as 

 shown by the above cut, that readily distinguish it, and embraces much the 

 largest species of true grouse found in America. Tliis form of grouse is less 

 known to sportsmen than any of tlie others belonging to tlie faxina of the 

 Xew World, as it only makes its first appearance at a considerable distance 

 to the west of the Mississijipi. 



