The Prairie-Hen 157 



markings on head and upper parts. Range Prairies of Mis- 

 sissippi Valley from Manitoba to Ontario, Michigan, and Ohio, 

 west to the Dakotas, Kansas, and Indian Territory, south to 

 Louisiana and Texas. 



Of all the grouse family, this bird the "chicken" 

 of shooting lore probably yields the most com- 

 plete satisfaction to the great army of American 

 sportsmen. Its greatest rival is the famed red 

 bird of the moors over sea, but if the question of 

 all-round merit were left to popular vote, beyond 

 all doubt the " chicken " would poll an overwhelm- 

 ing majority. Nor is this to be wondered at, for 

 unquestionably it is the bird of the people. 



Were the cleverest sportsman who ever lived 

 to undertake the designing of a bird of habitat 

 and habits to suit the wishes of perhaps three- 

 fourths of the gunners of this country, the result 

 of his labor surely would be something very like 

 a chicken. Let us glance at its qualifications : 

 it is of good size, carrying plenty of wholesome 

 and excellent meat ; its appearance is pleasing ; 

 it is vigorous and prolific ; it is a useful friend to 

 the farmer ; and it loves a region of pure air and 

 pleasant sunshine, wherein an overworked man 

 may find a cure-all for his mental worry and re- 

 sultant ills ; its ranges may be reached in comfort 

 and traversed with pleasure; it behaves well be- 

 fore dogs ; it gives the gun a fair, open chance, 

 seldom being found in anything like really diffi- 



