362 The Sage Grouse 



This was near the northern boundary of California, and at almost 

 the westernmost limit of the bird's range. 



Throughout all this vast region this feathered monarch of the plains 

 was at one time abundant. Formerly it was not extensively shot for 

 the reason that antelope, deer, and other larger game were usually to 

 be met with. With the passing of the big game and the introduction of 

 breech-loading guns a sad change has come over the fortunes of the Sage 

 Hen. In some remote corners of the West, 

 * ar where hunters rarely penetrate, these natu- 



rally trusting birds are so tame at times that one 



may knock them over with a stick. As a general thing, however, they 

 have learned a proper dread of their human enemies. 



This Grouse feeds very largely on the leaves of the sagebrush and 

 its flesh is at times strongly permeated with the odor of this plant. Hence 

 experienced westerners seldom shoot the old birds, for their flesh is 

 tough and strong, and unless prepared by a master cook are usually 

 regarded as totally unfit for food. Irvin Cobb, after such an experience, 

 named the bird "The Battle Hen of the Republic." Young birds of the 

 year that have fed largely on grasshoppers and other insects are regarded 

 as being a choice food, and are esteemed as highly as the Ruffed Grouse 

 or Bob-White. In the deserts around Burns, Oregon, I found the 

 rangers quite able to distinguish between the old and young when the 

 birds rose from the ground. That the young are quite as good as any 

 game-bird in the land was proved to me by the delicious repast set 

 before me by some of the good people of that arid country. 



The Sage Grouse are entirely terrestrial. Living in regions where 

 trees are rare they have never acquired the habit of alighting on a limb. 

 Experienced gunners speak with admiration of the birds' ability to hide 

 on the ground where there is extremely little cover, the only possible 

 protection being the low growth of scattered sagebrush. 



Observers have long noted that the feathers on the breast of the 



male Sage Grouse are often found in a worn and frayed condition, which 



would seem to indicate that this portion of the plumage for some reason 



receives much rougher treatment than elsewhere 



Worn Plumage 111 A 1 r 1 11 



on the body. An explanation of this, and also 

 Explained . J . ,,.,,',. 



some interesting notes on the birds behavior 



during the breeding season, was published some years ago in The Auk 

 by Mr. Frank Bond, who, while living in the West, had many op- 

 portunities to observe the activities of this interesting bird. 



"The peculiar feathers of the breast of the Sage Cock," he writes, 

 "are more or less faithfully described by every ornithologist who has 

 published a sketch of the bird ; but as yet I have seen no explanation of 

 the cause of the wearing away of the barbs and even shafts of the 

 feathers of the lower neck. These feathers are worn away during that 

 period of sexual excitement which causes many birds to develop odd 

 and eccentric habits until the nuptial season is passed. The Sage Cock 



