SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 229 



feathers of its tail project an inch or more beyond, and 

 are somewhat stiffer than, the others, forming a sort of 

 spike. It is also somewhat lighter in colour than its 

 cousin, the pinnated grouse, though marked much in the 

 same way. 



In its habits and general characteristics it is almost 

 identical with the more common bird, with the exceptions 

 that it loves the thickets of willow and cotton-wood along 

 the margins of streams, and that it is much more of a 

 percher, frequently alighting in trees, especially in cold 

 weather. 



In spite of these peculiarities this grouse furnishes 

 splendid sport, though its pursuit is attended with more 

 labour than that of the pinnated grouse. Early in the 

 season it lies to the dog almost too well, requires close 

 hunting, and its flights are very short. Later on it be- 

 comes more wild, often getting up beyond the reach of 

 the hunter, and, flying to a great distance, alights in thick 

 cover, from which it is dislodged with great difficulty. 

 However, the hunter who has the assistance of a good dog 

 may count on a fair proportion of every pack he en- 

 counters. 



This grouse is now found in greater or less numbers 

 on all the streams in the west from the British line to the 

 Canadian Eiver, and from the Pacific Ocean to the 

 Missouri Eiver. It is a very great accession to the game 

 of this vast region, to which the pinnated grouse has not 

 yet penetrated, and adds much to the pleasure of the 

 plains hunter. 



It is very prolific, each hen bringing up yearly one or 

 more fine broods of from fifteen to twenty young, which 

 are so well cared for that comparatively few fail to reach 

 maturity in spite of hawks and other enemies. She 

 makes her nest on the ground, like the pinnated grouse, 

 in the most secluded spot she can find. I think she must 

 have the power of withholding her scent during the 

 period of incubation, otherwise it would seem to be 



