THE HEATH HEN 15 



regular, though less distinct and on a paler 

 ground. Tail short, rounded, and carried more 

 erectly than is the usual manner with the 

 grouse, dusky in color, the feathers crossed by 

 uncertain barrings of lighter shade. Crissum 

 white. On each side of the neck are the long, 

 narrow tufts of feathers, the type character, 

 (in the western bird numbering ten or more and 

 somewhat rounded at the tips, but in the Heath 

 Hen less than ten in number, shorter and more 

 pointed at the ends) and beneath these are two 

 bare patches of skin which in the mating season 

 are distended with air until they resemble small 

 oranges. There is a slight crest on the head. 

 Feet feathered to the toes with short, hair-like 

 feathers. The female is marked like the male, 

 but is somewhat smaller, of lighter and less de- 

 cided colors. Her neck-tufts also are consider- 

 ably smaller. The eastern bird is, if in any way 

 different, a little smaller, darker colored, and 

 perhaps shorter-legged than is the typical bird 

 of the west. A distinct whitish spot on the tips 

 of the scapulars is also a distinguishing char- 

 acter of the eastern race. 



The Heath Hens do not gather into packs as 

 winter comes on, (perhaps because, all told. 



