SAGE GROUSE 



309. Centrocercus urophasianus. 29 in. 



The female of this large and very interesting grouse, 

 differs from the male only in its smaller size and paler, 

 duller plumage. They are found in abundance on the 

 dry sagebrush-covered plains about the Rocky Mts. and 

 to the westward. In summer they feed largely upon 

 insects and buds of various plants, but in fall and 

 winter, their food is almost entirely the leaves of the 

 sagebrush; at this season, in consequence, their flesli 

 is unfit to eat, so they are not hunted for market, and 

 are able to pursue a life of quiet as far as man is 

 concerned. In spring, they indulge in amusing play, 

 as do all the grouse; they have a few wiry hairs on 

 either side of the neck, covering the naked sacs that 

 correspond to those of the Prairie Hen; they strut 

 about with these sacs inflated, and their spread tail, 

 erect, making peculiar buzzing sounds. 



Nest. Eggs laid on the ground under sagebrush ; 

 greenish-buff, spotted rather sparingly with brown. 



Range. Sagebrush covered plains from New Mexico 

 to Southern British Columbia and Assiniboia 



