PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE 



308b. Pedicecetes phasianellus campestris. 18 in. 



No pinnates or ruffs on the neck, but the head is 

 crested a little more than that of the Prairie Hen; 

 tail with the central feathers nearly two inches? longer 

 than the rest, which are also graduated so the outside 

 ones are much the shortest. Plumage much paler 

 than that of the Prairie Hen, and feathers on the 

 breast and sides being marked with blackish loops. 

 Found in more or less abundance on the plains and 

 prairies west of the Mississippi River. In mating sea- 

 son flocks of them indulge in curious antics, dancing, 

 ruffling their feathers, and cooing and crowing. 



Nest. Eggs laid in a hollow in the ground, usually 

 sheltered by a tuft of grass or bunch of weeds. The 

 eggs are brownish-drab, finely specked, over the whole 

 surface, with blackish-brown. ( 1.70 x 1.25 ). 



Range. -West of the Miss. River, from New Mex- 

 ico and Indian Territory north to Manitoba. 308. 

 Sharp-tailed Grouse, is found in the interior of Brit- 

 ish America from Hudson Bay to Alaska. Darker 

 and less rusty than the preceding. 



