104 THE TRAPPER'S FOOD. 



plains on both sides of the Rocky Mountains where the wild 

 sage or artemisia grows. It feeds on the leaves of this plant, 

 which being very bitter, give the flesh an unpalatable flavor. 

 In the autumn, however, they frequent the streams of the 

 Columbia, where they feed on the pulpy-leaved thorn. At 

 this season their flesh is good. The males have large, orange- 

 colored gular sacs on the sides of the neck, which they inflate, 

 and by expelling the air produce " a loud, grating noise, 

 resembling hurr-hurr-r-r-hoo, ending in a deep hollow tone, 

 not unlike the sound caused by blowing into a large reed." 

 Their general color is light brown, marked with black, dark 

 brown and yellowish white. They are large, weighing fre- 

 quently five or six pounds. The tail is long and pheasant- 

 shaped. 



THE DUSKY GROUSE. 



The species next in size to the preceding is the Dusky 

 Grouse, sometimes called the Pine Grouse. It is an inhabit- 

 ant of the Pacific slope and of the Rocky Mountains from 

 the Columbia River to Texas. They are supposed to be par- 

 tially migratory, leaving their accustomed haunts in November 

 and being absent until spring. Their flesh is said to be excel- 

 lent, having a slight pine flavor, which is not disagreeable. 

 The Dusky Grouse is easily captured. Their habit is to spend 

 most of their time on the ground. They lie close till almost 

 stepped on, and when disturbed take refuge in the nearest 

 tree, alighting among the branches and remaining motionless. 

 Richardson's Grouse resembles the Dusky Grouse, but its hab- 

 itat is in the Rocky Mountains from the South Pass northward. 



THE SPRUCE OR CANADA GROUSE. 



This bird is found from the northern United States to the 

 Arctic Sea, and from the Atlantic nearly to the Rocky Mount- 

 ains. Their favorite habitat is the thick evergreen swamps. 

 They are less wild and shy than the other kinds of Grouse, 

 and are said to be easily tamed. When confined, they feed 

 readily on oats, wheat, or other grain. Their flesh is quite 

 dark, and in winter, when they feed on the leaves of ever- 

 greens, is unpalatable. In the season of berries it is much 



