J52 THE PINNATED GROUSE. 



is one of the best game of the country, only excelled 

 by the pinnated grouse, which we shall immediately 

 notice. In winter and fall many hundreds are 

 brought to the markets, and in Philadelphia, in 

 Wilson's time, they sold at from three quarters of a 

 dollar to a dollar and a quarter per pair. 



THE PINNATED GROUSE. 



Tetrao cupido. LINNAEUS. 



Attagan Americana, Brisson. Tetrao Cupido, Bonaparte, 

 Synop. Pinnated Heathcock, Stephens. 



THIS curious bird resembles the last in having 

 tufts to the sides of the neck, the form of the fea- 

 thers narrower and almost 3 inches in length. It 

 frequents the dry open plains, studded with trees or 

 interspersed with patches of brushwood. New Jer- 

 sey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana territory, and 

 the plains on the Columbia, are all recorded by Wil- 

 son as the favourite resorts for this grouse. In the 

 cultivated and populous districts, it is, however, ra- 

 pidly decreasing, and though laws were enacted for 

 the preservation of the heath hens, they flee before 

 the settlers, and are certain ere long to be extirpat- 

 ed from grounds where they formerly abounded. 

 The pinnated grouse is as large as the last. The 

 general colour of the plumage is yellowish-red, with 

 bars and crossings of black, in distribution much 



