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 scutellse 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 



