121 



Genus Zenaedura Bonap. 



191. Z. carolinensis Bonap. CAROLINA DOVE. A very common 

 summer resident. The majority arrive the last of March aud first of 

 April, and depart by the middle of October. Straggling parties' are 

 occasionally observed during the winter. In many places this species 

 becomes semi-domesticated, breeding in the trees in the yard and 

 showing but little fear when approached. 



Family MELEAGKID-aS. 

 Genus Meleagris. ,. 



192. M. gallopavo Linn. WILD TURKEY. Formerly plentiful. 

 No specimens have been observed for many years. Still abundant in 

 Southern Illinois and in the bottom-lands along the rivers in Central 

 Illinois. 



Family TETBA.ONIDJE. 

 Genus Pedioecetes Bd. 



193. P. phasianellus var. columbianus (Ord.}. SHARP-TAILED 

 GROUSE. If this species now occurs it is extremely rare. Mr. Keu- 

 nicott notes it as "not uncommon formerly." At present it is re- 

 stricted to the north-western portion of the state. The last record 

 of its occurrence in this vicinity is furnished by my friend Mr. T. H. 

 Douglas, who informs me that in the fall of 1803 or 18.64, while two 

 gentlemen were shooting prairie chickens near Waukegan, they found 

 and secured a covey of these birds, numbering fourteen individuals. 

 These had, in all probability, been raised in the immediate vicinity. 



Genus Cupidonia Reich. 



194. C. cupido Bd. PRAIRIE CHICKEN. Once excessively abun- 

 dant; now rather scarce within thirty miles of Chicago. Still exists 

 in large numbers on the larger prairies, but is becoming much less 

 numerous in all the more settled districts. In many places the fanners 

 are in the habit of collecting their eggs by the pailful to use for culi- 

 nary purposes. Such a drain as this, with the annual slaughter by 

 sportsmen, aud the restriction of their breeding grounds by cultiva- 

 tion, is rapidly lessening their ^numbers except in the remote prairie 

 districts. 



Genus Boriasa Steph. 



195. B. umbellus Steph. RUFFED GROUSE. Common resident in 

 the wooded portions. Farther north, in the forests of Wisconsin and 

 Northern Michigan, it is very abundant and so unsophisticated that it 

 may almost be captured with sticks. 



ESSEX INST. BULLETIN. VIII 10 



