PINNATED GROUSE 22$ 



one, were observed to have the orange-colored air- 

 sacs. These were probably cocks. We saw only one 

 bird which we suspected might be a hen. The other 

 hens were probably nesting, or at least had secured 

 mates, and no longer resorted to the promenading 

 place. As the sun rose high the tooting became less 

 frequent; the birds became more restless, often flying 

 to the neighboring low oaks, resting there until 

 disturbed." 



William Hazen Gates, of Williamstown, Mass., 

 worked that spring with the Massachusetts commis- 

 sioners, studying the habits of the heath hen, in order 

 to secure information which might be of use in arti- 

 ficially propagating the species. He says : 



"On May 31, while wandering across the plains, 

 three heath hens were started, and each taking wing 

 flew nearly out of sight before alighting. As I watched 

 the birds, a call, resembling to a slight degree that of 

 an ordinary barnyard cock calling to the hens, was 

 heard not far distant. The place was noted as nearly 

 as possible, and then cautiously I made my way there. 

 When the place was reached I looked for birds, but 

 could see none. I then sat down and determined to 

 wait, in order to see if any birds could be heard. The 

 ground was covered with leaves, so the least stir would 

 have been heard. I listened and also looked for signs 

 of anything moving, but none appeared. I sat there 

 for fully twenty minutes and, hearing nothing, con- 

 cluded that either there were no birds or else they had 

 gone as I approached. As I rose a bird flew up within 



