THE PINNATED GROUSE. 381 
middle; the feathers stiffened, nearly linear and truncate; the tail is scarcely longer 
than the coverts, and half the length of the wing; tarsi covered with feathers anteriorly 
and laterally to the toes, but bare, with hexagonal scutellz behind; the middle toe 
and claw longer than the tarsus; the toes margined by pectinated processes; a space 
above the eye provided with a dense pectinated process in the breeding season, 
sometimes separated from the eye by a superciliary space covered with feathers. 
Length, sixteen and fifty one-hundredths inches; wing, eight and eighty one- 
hundredths; tail, four and seventy one-hundredths inches. 
This well-known bird is now found in New England only 
on Martha’s Vineyard and Naushon, and perhaps one or 
two other islands off the southern coast of Massachusetts. 
It was once probably very abundant in all the southern New- 
England States: but it is now nearly exterminated here ; 
and very soon, in all probability, it will cease to be one. of 
our birds. Having had no opportunities for observing and 
studying its habits, I give the very full and interesting 
description presented by Wilson. He quotes a letter de- 
scribing some of its habits as follows: — 
“« Amours. — The season for pairing is in March, and the breed- 
ing time is continued through April and May. Then the male 
Grouse distinguishes himself by a peculiar sound. When he utters 
it, the parts about the throat are sensibly inflated and swelled. It 
may be heard on a still morning for three or more miles ; some say 
