146 TETRAONUXE. 



very much the same plumage, but is without the crest, 

 although she has rudimentary neck-wings, covering a 

 somewhat similar though smaller naked space on the 

 neck ; this, however, is not capable of inflation. 



At all times of a pugnacious character, the male birds 

 are especially so at the commencement of the pairing 

 season, when they fight with one another like game-cocks, 

 strewing the sward with their feathers, returning again 

 and again to the charge, leaping from the ground with 

 shrill cackling, and every feather erect with fury, those of 

 the neck forming a ruff which completely encircles the 

 throat. The Indians, who are inveterate pot-hunters, 

 often set nooses or lie in ambush with their guns at 

 these spots. 



The breeding season is in April and May, and the 

 nest, which is very rude and simple, being in fact 

 nothing more than a rough collection of dead grass 

 and leaves, is most carefully hidden in the thick tufts 

 of long prairie-grass. It contains from ten to twelve 

 or even fifteen eggs, about the size of those of the 

 bantam, and of a very pale brown colour. 



They are hatched within three weeks, and the young 

 birds leave the nest at once. When leading her brood 

 about, and teaching them to find for themselves the 

 various berries, seeds, and insects which are their peculiar 

 food, the mother, if surprised, feigns lameness, and while 



