THE SAGE GROUSE. 6oi 



of reducing seeds, grains, or even hard-shelled beetles. The bird's spring- 

 diet is varied by many kinds of tender herbage, and in summer it consumes 

 quantities of crickets, grasshoppers and other insects, but sage is eaten at all 

 seasons and forms its exclusive ration in winter. 



In spite of this monotonous and bitter fare the flesh of the adult Sage 

 Grouse is far from unpalatable, especially if speedily prepared; while birds of 

 the year in the fall are as wholesome as those of any other species. In fact, 

 much that has been written about "fishy" ducks and "sagey" grouse has been 

 derived from specimens left about undrawn until the characteristic rta\-ors of 

 the intestinal contents have permeated the flesh, — obviously, an unfair test in 

 case of a pronounced diet either of clams or wormwood. 



Sage Grouse move about in coveys, family groups, in which the mother 

 remains a central figure, until late autumn. At that season several coveys 

 mav unite to form a "pack," and the male birds are allowed to rejoin the 

 company. Stories are told of bands numbering up to a thousand, but small 

 flocks are the rule. These Grouse, like all others in America, with the partial 

 exception of the Pinnated, are non-migratory ; but they are mildly nomadic 

 in their habits, moving about in the flocking season from one portion of their 

 local range to another. 



Altho far larger — males weigh five or six pounds, and eight-pound birds 

 are of record — the Sage Grouse resembles the Sharp-tail in many ways. Like 

 the latter it will crouch low upon the ground, or, especially if the passerby be 

 on horse-back or in a wagon, will "freeze" beside a sage bush in hopes of 

 escaping detection. When put to flight it has the same harsh rattle or cackle, 

 increased in proportion to its size. It rises hea\'ily with \'iolent exertion of 

 alternating wing-strokes, and after each repetition of such efforts, rests in 

 long stiff sails. The birds lie well to a dog, or not, according to circumstances. 

 and a flock is seldom found lying as close together as is the case with Sharp- 

 tailed Grouse. 



In the courting antics of this \aliant son of the desert. Nature has in- 

 dulged a fresh, fancv. Indeed, it is to be suspected that the Dame takes a 

 special delight in making some of the most staid and prosaic of her male 

 progenv appear in a ridiculous light, when under the influence of the tender 

 passion. This grizzled veteran of tlie wormwood does not express his senti- 

 ment with either dignitv or grace. Xo ; he first inflates the air sacs, which line 

 his neck, until thev assume alarming proportions, meeting in front and fre- 

 quently engulfing his head : the tail with its spiny feathers is spread to the 

 utmost and pointed skyward : then tlie gallant pitches forward and casts off for 

 a belly-buster slide over the ground, not without much assistance of propulsive 

 feet in approved "kid" fashion. As a result of this ridiculous dry-land swim, 

 the feathers of the breast are worn oft' at the tips till only the quills protrude. 

 These ragged quill-ends, in being forced over the earth, produce a mild roar 



