THE PRAIRIE-HEN. 165 



MEMORANDA. 

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1. The prairie-hen is now almost exclusively confined to the 

 open champaign countries of the West. 



2. Their habits and modes of life are very different from those 

 of the ruffed grouse ; the one seeking the seclusion of the deepest 

 forests, while the other delights only in the open plains. 



3. The time of pairing, period of incubation, number of young, 

 and habits of male birds, all much the same as the ruffed grouse. 



4. The cock birds at the pairing season are heard "tooting" in- 

 stead of " drumming ;" they are very pugnacious, and fight with 

 great spirit among themselves during the period of courtship. 



5. Unlike the ruffed grouse, the pinnated are easily domesticated, 

 and will pair and hatch in captivity ; they exhibit no disposition to 

 migrate, as the other variety does. 



6. Their meat is dark, and inferior to that of the ruffed grouse. 



