GAME-BIRDS AND PIGEONS. 193 



not exterminated until within the past fifty years, a 

 few remaining in the " barrens," or grouse plains, as 

 Nuttall called them. 



The Cock of the Plains is thus described by Dr. J. 

 K. Lord: 



" These grouse live entirely on the open sandy plains, their princi- 

 pal food being the wild-sage, which imparts such a rank, unpleasant 

 flavor to the flesh that one might almost as well chew the bitter bush 

 as eat any part of a sage-cock. It is almost impossible to obtain the 

 cocks in full nuptial costume, when their necks are fringed with the 

 most delicate pinnated feathers. The meeting of two cocks is sure 

 to result in a fight, during which the greater part of these ornamental 

 feathers are usually torn out. Unless the birds are killed prior to a 

 hostile encounter, their plumage is never perfect, as they only have 

 these fine neck and back plumes at mating-time. 



" It is impossible for any one to avoid being at once impressed 

 with the extraordinary adaptation of the sage-cock's color to the 

 localities in which he lives; the mottlings of brown, black, yellow, 

 and white are so exactly like the lichens covering the rocks, the 

 stalks of the wild-sage, and the dried leaves, bunch-grass, and dead 

 twigs scattered over the sandy wastes, that it is impossible to make 

 them out to be birds when they crouch close to the ground. Their 

 greatest enemies are eagles and large falcons, which, ever soaring 

 over the plains or perching on some lofty rock-pinnacle, scan the far 

 distance for any moving objects on which to pounce. The poor 

 sage-cocks have no shelter; not a tree or shrub save the pungent 

 sand-plant is there to hide them; but their marvellous coloration 

 compensates for lack of other protection, deceiving even the sharp- 

 eyed birds of prey." 



" The Sharp-tailed Grouse," according to the same author, " is alike 

 estimable, whether we consider him in reference to his field qualities, 

 or viewed as a table dainty, when bowled over and grilled. Though 

 his, flesh is brown, yet for delicacy of flavor I'll back him against 

 any other bird in the Western wilds. . . . Its favorite haunt is on 

 open grassy plains, in the morning keeping itself concealed in the 

 thick, long grass, but coming in about mid-day to the streams to drink 

 and dust itself in the sandy banks ; it seldom goes into the timber. 

 I n 17 



