210 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
Rocky Mountains, on September Ist 1897. In all the cases cited, 
the birds were quite tame and the chicks had no apparent fear. 
In only one case was the nest found. It was a slight depres- 
sion by a large stone with a lining of grass and a few feathers. 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Nine fine specimens in both winter and summer plumage are 
in the collection. A pair in winter plumage taken at Banff 
Feb. 24th, 1896, and purchased from Mr. Dippie. Three taken 
on the summit of the Gold Range, B. C., Aug. 8th, 1889, also 
four others taken in the Selkirk Mountains in August, 1899, all 
by Mr. W. Spreadborough. 
CX. TYMPANUCHUS GLocer. 1842. 
305. Prairie Hen, or Pinnated Grouse. 
Tympanuchus americanus (ReEIcH.) Ripew. 1886. 
In the first week of May, 1886, one specimen was shot on 
Hamilton beach; from various sources I have learned that this 
species is still seen along the southwestern frontier of Ontario, but 
their numbers are decreasing. (Wcl/wraith.) Mr. E. Seton-Thomp- 
son in his Birds of Manitoba gives a circumstantial account of the 
introduction of this bird into Manitoba, and shows that its first 
recorded appearance was in 1881 when one specimen was shot 
near Winnipeg. In the autumn of 1882 one specimen was shot 
at Portage la Prairie. From that time on it became more and 
more abundant in Manitoba, and in the autumn of 1895 the writer 
saw one in the flesh killed at Indian Head in Assiniboia. This 
species seems to bea true prairie bird as observers speak of it 
always being found in the open even in the severest weather. 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
One fine specimen killed near Winnipeg, Man., in the spring of 
1889. One set of five eggs procured from Mr. Raine. 
CXI. PEDIOCAiTES Bairp. 1858. 
308. Sharp-tailed Grouse 
Pediocates phasianellus (LINN.) ELuiotr. 1862. 
One specimen taken at the Saguenay River ; another was ex- 
posed for sale in the market of Quebec, 1887; Mr. Cooper says 
