SAGE HEN (Centrocercus urophasianus) . 

 This, the largest of American grouse, meas- 

 uring about 28 in. in length and weighing up 

 to 8 pounds, is found in western North 

 America from Britsh Columbia and Assini- 

 boia to central California and Colorado. 



The hen bird is considerably smaller than 

 the cock, measuring but 23 in. in length. 



These great birds inhabit the Great Basin 

 and arid plains throughout their range, 

 where sage is the prevailing brush. They are 

 strictly terrestrial fowl, feeding almost wholly 

 on sage leaves which impart a disagreeable 

 taste to their flesh. They remain common 

 only in regions remote from civilization, for 

 their large bodies offer such an easy mark 

 even though their flight be swift, that they 

 soon become scarce after the country be- 

 comes settled. 



Because of their great size, the actions of 

 cock birds during mating season are even 

 more ludicrous than those of other grouse. 

 The air sacs on the neck are enormously in- 

 flated until the whole breast is balloon- 

 shaped and then he slides along over the 

 bare ground for some distance on this im- 

 provised pneumatic tire. While expelling 

 the air, he produces a great variety of cack- 

 ling and rumbling noises. At the end of 

 this season the feathers on the breast are 

 worn away by this constant friction with 

 the ground, leaving only the stiff shafts at their ends. 



WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). Largest and finest of 

 game birds and the originator of the common domestic turkey. Found in their 

 several races in eastern and southern United States, north to Pennsylvania 

 and west to Texas; formerly north to New England. Frequent wooded dis- 

 tricts and are by nature very wary and shy, yet they are very easily trapped 

 and it was this means that has driven them from most of their former range. 

 At present they are taken chiefly by trailing or by calling. They have a re- 

 markably keen sense of sight and smell and a strong pair of legs with which 

 to run away, as well as good wings if necessity demands their use. With 

 plenty of cover, the turkey is pretty capable of caring for himself. 



SAGE HEN 

 WILD TURKEY 



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