PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE 
308b. Pedicecetes phasianellus campestris. 18 in. 
No pinnates or ruffs on the neck, but the head is 
crested a little more than that of the Prairie Hen; 
tail with the central feathers nearly two inches longer 
than the rest, which are also graduated so the outside 
ones are much the shortest. Plumage much paler 
than that of the Prairie Hen, and feathers on the 
breast and sides being marked with blackish loops. 
Found in more or less abundance on the plains and 
prairies west of the Mississippi River. In mating sea- 
son flocks of them indulge in curious antics, dancing, 
ruffling their feathers, and cooing and crowing. 
Nest.—Eggs laid in a hollow in the ground, usually 
sheltered by a tuft of grass or bunch of weeds. The 
eggs are brownish-drab, finely specked, over the whole 
surface, with blackish-brown. (1.70x 1.25). 
Range.—West of the Miss. River, from New Mex- 
ico and Indian Territory north to Manitoba. 308. 
Sharp-tailed Grouse, is found in the interior of Brit- 
ish America from Hudson Bay to Alaska. Darker 
and less rusty than the preceding. 
