186 



HEATH HEN 

 306. Tympanuchus cupido. 17 in. 



Xeck feathers pointed; scapulars more broadly 

 tipped with white; axillars always barred; top of head 

 paler and always brownish. These differences will 

 always separate this species from the very similar 

 western bird. They were formerly found throughout 

 Southern New England and the Middle States, their 

 range meeting that of the Prairie Hen, but now they 

 are restricted to the island of Martha's Vineyard, south 

 of Mass., and probably the true form is extinct there, 

 for western birds have been liberated on the island and 

 interbred with the natives. 



LESSER PRAIRIE HEN 

 307. Tympanuchus pallidiciiictns. 16 in. 



Nearest like the prairie hen but paler above, the 

 In-own bars being narrower and lighter colored, but 

 with the edges blackish, giving the back of the bird 

 a very different appearance from thr.t of the Prairie 

 Hen. "it is found in western Kansas, Indian Territory 

 and Texas. 



