300 THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 
CHAPTER XII. 
SHARP-TAILED GROUSE— BALD-HEADED EAGLE — MOSQUITOS — 
LAGOMYS MINIMUS (Nov. SP. )—-HUMMINGBIRDS—UROTRICHUS. 
THE SHARP-TAILED Grouse (Pediocetes Phasia- 
nellus, Baird; Tetrao Phasianellus, Linn. ; Centro- 
cercus Phasianellus, Jardine; Phastanus Colum- 
bianus, Ord.)—Specific characters: The tail 
consists of eighteen feathers—prevailing colours 
black, white, and umber-yellow; the back 
marked with transverse bars, the wings with 
round conspicuous white spots—under pure 
white ; the breast and sides thickly marked with 
V-shaped blotches of dark-brown; length about 
18-00; wing, 8°50; tail, 5°23 inches. 
This beautiful bird is alike estimable, whether 
we consider him in reference to his field qualities 
(therein being all a grouse ought to be, rising 
with a loud rattling whirr, and going off straight 
as an arrow, lying well to dogs, and frequenting 
open grassy prairies), or viewed as a table dainty, 
