196 SUMMER DUCK PRAIRIE HEN. 



the body white, marked with a number of transverse wavy 

 lines. 



It is especially esteemed at table — and those who have 

 eaten it at the hospitable boards of Americans will acknow- 

 ledge its excellence; though when, on several occasions, some 

 braces of these birds have been sent to England, they have 

 failed to elicit the admiration due to their merits — in con- 

 sequence, it is said, of not being accompanied by an American 

 cook. 



THE SUMMER DUCK. 



The most beautiful of the duck tribe which visits the 

 States is the summer or tree duck of Carolina. It bears a 

 strong resemblance in plumage and habits to the celebrated 

 mandarin duck of China. The birds are found perching on 

 the branches of trees overhanging ponds and streams — a 

 habit not usual in the duck tribe — where they may be seen, 

 generally a couple together, the male in his superb garments 

 of green, purple, chestnut, and white, contrasting with the 

 homely plumage of his mate. 



THE PINNATED GROUSE, OR PRAIRIE HEN. 



On the open " ban-ens," where a few tufts of stunted brush- 

 wood are alone found, the remarkable pinnated grouse may be 

 seen in gTeat numbers running over the gi^ound. Their backs 

 are mottled with black, white, and chestnut-brown ; and the 

 male has two finely ornamented feathers on the neck, streaked 

 with black and brown. It has also a slight crest on the 

 head, of orange colour, hanging over each eye in a semicircular 

 form ; and naked appendages, which hang down from eacli 

 side of the neck, and can be filled at the will of the bird by 

 air, so that when puffed out they are like two small yellow 



