88 LIFE HISTORIES OP NOKTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Compared with other eggs of the Grouse family, they resemble far more 

 the eggs of Dendraffapns tliau Lagopns. None of the markings run into each 

 other, as is often the case in eggs of the different species of Lacjopiis, and 

 they are not nearly so heavily spotted. As in all Grouse eggs, these 

 markings are entirely superficial. The three perfect specimens in the U. S. 

 National Museum collection measure 43 by 30, 42.5 by 29, and 44 by 30 

 millimetres. Mr. Jackson's specimens are a trifle larger, and measure 4(j l)y 

 30.5, 44.5 by 30.5, 44 liy 31, and 44 by 30.5 millimetres. 



The type specimen. No. 17200 (PI. 2, Fig. Ki), from an incomplete set, 

 was collected by Mr. A. D. Wilson, of the Hayden Geological Survey, on 

 July 15, 1875, in the San Juan Mountains, southern Colorado; the second (PI. 

 2, Fig. 17), from a set of four, now in Mr. Thomas H. Jackson's collection, and 

 kindly loaned for figuring, was taken June 19, 1890, in Clear Creek Count}-, 

 Colorado, by Mr. Evan Lewis. 



32. Tympanuchus americanus (Reichenbach). 



PRAIRIE HEN. 



Cupidonia americanus Reichenbach, Systeraa Avium, 1853, p. xxix; based on Vollst. 



Naturg. Hiihuen., PI. 217, Figs. 1896-1898. 

 Tyvipanuchus cupidu americanus Ridgway, Manuscript. 



(B 464, C 384, R 477, C 503, U 305.) 



Geographical range ; Prairies of Mississippi Valley; south to Louisiana and 

 Texas; west to northern Indian Territory, middle Kansas, Nebraska, and eastern North 

 and South Dakota ; east to Kentucky, Indiana, northwestern Ohio, southeastern Miclii- 

 gan, and southwestern Ontario, Canada ; north to southern Manitoba. 



The breeding range of the Pinnated Grouse or Prairie Hen extends over 

 the prairie country of the Mississippi Valley, from southeastern Texas and 

 Louisiana; north to Manitoba to about latitude 50°, vicinity of Winnipeg; 

 east to western Ontario, Canada, southeastern Michigan (Monroe County), and 

 northwestern Ohio, where they are rare now — a few still exist in Kentucky; 

 west, they range to eastern North and South Dakota, throughout Nebraska, 

 eastern and central Kansas, and the northern portion of the Indian Territory; 

 south, at least to Fort Reno. They are not uncommon in suitable localities 

 in northwestern Lidiana, central Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and very 

 abundant in Iowa, Minnesota, eastern Kansas, Nebraska, and the eastern por- 

 tion of the two Dakotas. Tlie range of this species is rapidly contracting 

 along its eastern border, and equallv rapidly extending both north and west- 

 ward, where it is following the settlements. It is partly migratory in the 

 northern portions, and resident from the central portions of its range south. 



Mr. W. W.Cooke writes on this subject as follows: "The Prairie Chicken is 

 commonly said to be a resident bird, and so it is in tlie larger ])art of its range, 

 but in Iowa a regular thougli local migration takes place. This has been men- 



