Gallinaceous Game Birds 



and the grouse have feathered legs, like many birds of prey, to 

 keep these parts from being frozen, since they frequent high 

 altitudes. None of these American species is migratory, yet 

 their rapid, whirring flight, performed with quick strokes of 

 small, concave, stiffened wings, is well sustained, and sometimes 

 for long distances. The heads of grouse especially, high at the 

 rear to contain the unusually developed brain, indicate that rare 

 degree of intelligence among birds which so taxes the wits of 

 the sportsman; but certainly the Bob White is not lacking in 

 mental calibre. The latter birds are devoted lovers and parents, 

 whereas grouse are generally polygamous, and the males are 

 either indifferent to the eggs and young, or, in some cases, de- 

 structive of them. Mr. D. G. Elliot remarks: "It is a rather 

 singular fact that in most polygamous species the plumage of the 

 sexes is very dissimilar, while there is usually but little difference 

 observable between those that are monogamous." 



Bob White, or Quail. 



Dusky, or Blue Grouse. 



Canada Grouse, or Spruce Partridge. 



Ruffed Grouse, or Partridge. 



Canadian Ruffed Grouse. 



Gray Ruffed Grouse. 



Oregon, or Red Ruffed Grouse. 



Prairie Chicken, or Pinnated Grouse. 



Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. 



Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. 



Sharp-tailed Grouse. 



Sage Grouse, or Cock of the Plains. 



Pheasants and Turkeys 



(Family PhasianidceJ 



A group of magnificent birds, including the peacock, 

 pheasants, and the jungle fowl, the progenitors of our domestic 

 poultry. From the Mexican turkey, now imported all over the 

 world, and into France and England since the sixteenth century, 

 came the race that furnishes our Thanksgiving feasts. 



Wild Turkey. 



260 



