2 Bird -Lore 



ing backward and forward with erected crests, drooping wings, and head and 

 tail almost meeting, all the time uttering a peculiar clucking or gobbling call. 

 In the distance, these calls sound very much like the confused murmur of 

 voices of a far-away crowd of people. Spreadborough says the birds become so 

 absorbed that it is almost impossible to drive them away at these times — even 

 by shooting. I have seen as many as forty birds on a knoll at one time, but 

 twenty-tive or thirty is more usual. 



The nest is on the ground, concealed among the grass, very often in little 

 patches of scrub; but no real nest is made. The eggs number from twelve to 



]'RA1R1E SHARP-TAILED GROUSE 



lifteen, and are brown with dark specks, measuring about 1.75 x 1.25 inches. 

 Frequently, after being sat upon for a time they become bleached, turning 

 to a dirty-white color. The hen sits very closely, and will allow herself to be 

 almost touched before rising. Great numbers of these birds are killed for 

 sport during the short open season. 



When I iirst went to southern Manitoba, the square-tailed Pinnated 

 Grouse {Tympanuchus americanus) was the common game-bird of that portion 

 of the prairie, and it is gradually spreading westward. Atkinson comments 

 upon the fact that these two species do not agree well together. More recently 



