82 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



beneath, variegated transversely above with zigzag spots 

 of yellowish-brown; the head and neck are a deep buff; 

 the throat is thickly spotted with dusk; and a V of the 

 same hue is prominent on the breast. The tarsi are 

 densely feathered, and the two long tail-feathers, which 

 have given it the general name of sharp-tail, are very con- 

 spicuous. It derives its local name of spotted chicken 

 from its numerous markings. It is about the size of the 

 pinnated grouse, and its flesh is tender and well-flavored. 

 The more southern variety associates freely with its 

 prairie congener, and both seem to get along well to- 

 gether. During the winter the two species keep apart, 

 however, for the sharp-tails burrow in the loose snow, 

 if necessary, and work their way rapidly through it, 

 and this the prairie-fowls cannot, or will not do, so far 

 as my experience goes. 



One of the most striking characteristics of the sharp- 

 tails is their love of dancing, and the enthusiasm they 

 disj^lay while engaged in it. None of the feathered crea- 

 tion can at all compete with them in tlie saltatorial art; 

 they may therefore be acknowledged the champion terp- 

 sichoreans of the avi-fauna. They have also a decided 

 advantage over all other lovers of the light, fantastic toe, 

 and that is, that tbey can dance to their own music, and 

 that it makes little difference to them whether the weather 

 is wet or fine. Dancing is as much a ceremony of love 

 with them as it is a religious rite with the Indians, and no 

 true sharp-tail cock would think of choosing a mate with- 

 out first showing her how gracefully he can glide through 

 a grouse waltz, or with what a stately mien he can bear 

 himself before his companions. No gallant would, in 

 fact, think himself fit to wed unless he proved to his 

 spouse that he was in every way capable of setting up as 

 a dancing master, and a model to his prospective family. 

 The terpsichorean evolutions of the sharp-tails com- 

 mence in sjDring, when the males are ready to become 



