158 PRANK Schley's partridge and phea.sant shooting. 



SAGE COCK; COCK OF THE PLAINS. 



Controcercus urophasianus, (Bon)— Sw. 



SAHITS. — The Cock of the Plains ai)pear to be con- 

 I fiuecl to dry and sterile regions, from the Black 

 Hills to California and Orei^on, and from British 

 Columbia nearly to Arizona, but only in those por- 

 tions of the Plains in which the Artemisia or sage abound. 

 It was mot with by Townsend for the tirst time about fifty 

 miles west of the Black Hills. He did not find them in the 

 valley of the Snake Eiver, but saw them again at Wallah- 

 Wallah, on the baidvs of the Columbia, and near the mouth 

 of the Lewis Kiver. He only found it on the plains that 

 produce the wormwood, on which plant it feeds, and in 

 consequence of which the flesh becomes so bitter that it is 

 unfit for food. It was very unsuspicious and easily ap- 

 proached, rarely flying unless hard pressed, and running 

 ahead at the distance of a few feet, clucking like the com- 

 mon Hen. When disturbed it would often run under the 

 horses' feet. According to his account it rises very clum- 

 sily, but, when once started, flies with great rapidity and 

 also to a great distance. It is said to have the sailing mo- 

 tion of the Pinnated (Jrouse. The}' are abundant in au- 

 tumn on the branches of the Columbia, at which time they 

 are regarded as g )od food by the natives, and are taken 

 in great quantities in nets. 



Mr. Nuttall met with this (Jrouse in considerable num- 

 bers on the north branch of the Platte. They were always 

 on the ground in small flocks or pairs, by no means shy ; 

 but when too nearly approached, uttering a rather loud but 

 short guttural cackle, and rising with a strong whirring 

 sound. Their notes, at times, strongly i-esemble those of 



