566 GAME BIBDS OF CALIFOENIA 



and in Modoc Count}-, where in certain areas the birds appear to 

 thrive exceptionally well. From this region southward, Sage-hens 

 are to be found, though less commonly, in similar situations all along 

 the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, through Lassen, Sierra, and 

 Alpine (at least formerly) counties, to the White Mountains and the 

 liead of Owens River valley in Mono and Inyo counties. The single 

 record from the Mohave River, San Bernardino County (Cooper, 

 1868, p. 13, and 1869, p. 188), if authentic, indicates occurrence 

 formerly or casually, far out of the present range of the species. In 

 the southernmost part of its range the Sage-hen is found at from 

 6,000 to 11,500 feet altitude, but in more northerly regions from 

 4,000 to 8,000 feet. A slight vertical migration takes place, but 

 otherwise the birds remain in tlie same general locality throughout 

 the year. 



The most striking feature of this grouse is its large size. Because 

 of this, the noise of its wings as it rises heavily from the ground is 

 startling even to persons already acquainted with the bird. With the 

 exception of the Sharp-tailed Grouse no other member of the family 

 is likely to be found in the same habitat. Confusion as to its identity 

 is in any case practically impossible. Besides numerous other char- 

 acters the conspicuously black belly will furnish a final clue in 

 making identification certain. The white patches over the air sacs 

 on each side of the chest in the male are also often conspicuous 

 enough to show at a long distance. The males, besides being much 

 larger and heavier than the females, can sometimes be distinguished 

 by the yellow color of the bare skin showing between the parted 

 feathers over the inflated air sacs. 



The mating season is said to begin in March and April before the 

 snow is off the ground. Like other grouse the Sage-hen is noted for 

 its peculiar mating antics. The males congregate together in open 

 places, or "courts," and make a great display, obviously to attract 

 the females. The following accounts of such performances by several 

 author;;, although differing in detail, furnish vivid pictures of this 

 extraordinary courting behavior for which the Sage-hen has become 

 famous. 



During a long residence in Wyoming and Colorado, Mr. L. E. 

 Burnett became familiar with the habits of the Sage-hen, and he has 

 described the courting of this species as follows: 



I liave heard them drum as early as December. This i)orformanco is most 

 often observed where hundreds of males and females have congregated together, 

 a custom which they have in the fall of the year. By February the males are all 

 drumming, but this is not continued during bad weather which closes the session 

 until fair weather returns. By the latter part of the month the males are in full 

 dress. Their protracted meetings last until the first days of May. . . . By the 



