140 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
by his neighbor as he rises from the ground. It never 
perches or settles in trees, but sometimes is seen mounted 
on a branch of a sage bush, a few feet from the ground. 
It keeps away from the woods, and is,as its name implies, 
a bird of the plains, a familiar feature of those vast, desert, 
treeless districts, covered by the peculiar pale green sage 
bush. The Sage Grouse may be able to go a long time 
without water, but if it is readily obtained, as when 
they are in the vicinity of a spring or small stream, they 
are accustomed to drink twice a day, in the early morn- 
ing, and again at evening. Sometimes considerable 
numbers are gathered together at such places, espe- 
cially if the localities which contain a supply of water 
are widely separated. Like the Pinnated and Sharp- 
tailed Grouse, members of flocks of the present species 
do not all flush together, but always one or more 
remain after the main body is on the wing; and when 
hunting them, it is not well to take it for granted 
that all have departed until the ground in the vicinity 
has been well searched, for it is pretty certain that 
at least one bird will be found which had vainly con- 
sidered itself securely hidden and safe from discovery. 
The Sage Grouse is a large and heavy bird, the males 
frequently measuring two and a half feet in length, and 
weighing at times as much as eight pounds. The female 
is considerably smaller, so much so that occasionally 
the discrepancy is so great as to cause remark; but 
as may be supposed in such large birds, the indi- 
viduals of neither sex are always of the same size, and 
those of lesser growth can find, if needed, mates not dis- 
proportionate to themselves. It is a splendid bird, 
which any country may be proud to claim as native to 
its boundaries, and may it long be preserved to enliven 
the desolate regions among which it dwells! 
