GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, ETC. 185 



ground, apparently indifferent observers, until claimed by victorious 

 rivals, which they gladly accept, and receive their caresses " (Goss). 



306. Tympanuchus cupido {Linn.). Heath Hen.— Similar to the 

 preceding, but the scapulars broadly tipped with buify ; the neck tufts of less 

 than ten feathers ; these feathers pointed, not rounded^ at the ends. 



Range. — Island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. 



Nest^ "in oak woods, among sprouts at the base of a large stump" (Brew- 

 ster). Eggs., six to thirteen, " creamy butf in color, with a slight greenish 

 tinge," 1-73 x 1-29. 



In the early part of this century the Heath Hen was found locally 

 throughout the Middle States, where, unlike its western representative, 

 the Prairie Hen, it lived in wooded districts. It is now restricted to 

 the island of Martha's Vineyard, an excellent illustration of the pro- 

 tection afforded by an insular habitat. 



Mr. William Brewster, writing in 1890 (Forest and Stream, p. 188; 

 see also p. 207), estimated that there were from one hundred and 

 twenty to two hundred Heath Hens then on the island, but he has 

 recently informed me that since then, owing to insufficient protection, 

 they have been nearly exterminated. 



308b. Pediocaetes phasianellus campestris Ridgw. Pkairie 

 Sharp-tailed Gkuuse. Ad. 6 . — Prevailing color of the upper parts ochra- 

 ceous-butf, barred and irregularly marked with black; no neck tufts ; outer 

 web of the primaries spotted with white; middle tail-feathers projecting 

 about an inch beyond the others, ochraceous-buff and black ; throat huffy ; 

 breast with V-shaped marks of black ; sides irregularly barred or spotted with 

 black or buff"y ; middle of the belly white. Ad. 9. — Similar, but smaller; 

 the middle tail-feathers shorter. L., 17-50 ; W., 8-50 ; T.. 4-50 ; B. from N., -50. 



Range. — Western United States from New Mexico northward to Manitoba, 

 east to Wisconsin and northern Illinois. 



Nest., on the ground. Eggs., eleven to fourteen, creamy buff or pale olive- 

 brown, generally slightly spotted with fine, reddish brown markings, 1-65 x 

 1-22 (Bendire). 



This partially migratory species lives on the prairies during the 

 summer and in wooded regions in the winter. A capital account of 

 its habits is given by Ernest E. Thompson in his Birds of Manitoba. 



Family Phasianid^. Pheasants, etc. 



With the exception of the Yucatan Turkey and the four races of 

 our Wild Turkey, the some ninety species included in this family are 

 inhabitants of the Old World, and are most numerously represented 

 in southern Asia, where are found the Peacock, many of the Pheasants, 

 and the Jungle Fowl, from which the varieties of our domesticated 

 fowls have descended. 



