AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 311 



so that he can secure the whole flock and then lament that there were 

 not more that he could kill. 



In the spring, Prairie Hens are found in large flocks preparatory to 

 breaking up into pairs for the summer. At this season the booming of 

 the males may be heard every morning. Underneath the tufts of feath- 

 ers or pinnates that adorn the sides of their neck, is a small sack which 

 the bird inflates to about the size, and this appendage is about the 

 color of a small orange. When the air is forced out of this sac it pro- 

 duces a booming sound not unlike the low notes of a powerful organ. 

 Mr. A. K. Boyles writes that he has seen them when they were in the 

 midst of their mating performances. He constructed a blind of grass 

 mounted on two wheels, which contrivance he pushed into a flock of 

 booming chickens. Some forty birds took part in this ceremony. The 

 hens were grouped on both sides and watched the exhibition with great 

 interest and admiration. Two of the male birds would take their posi- 

 tions at about twenty feet apart, and suddenly, with pinnates extended 

 and the sacs filled to their limit, would rash towards each other, at the 

 same time giving their booming note. 



Just at the instant that you would expect to see them crash into each 

 other, one of them would leap into the air and the other pass safely 

 under him. The strangest part of the proceeding was that they seemed 

 to have some understanding before the rush so that each would know 

 which was to jump and thus avoid the collision that would be inevitable 

 should any mistake occur. All the males in turn would go through the 

 same performance and rush between the lines of their admirers. 



Every morning for about a week this exhibition is given. By this 

 time all the females have selected their partners. Now comes the time 

 when these contests, which up to now have been mere exhibitions, be- 

 come a reality. There are generally a few of the males that are left 

 without mates. These attempt to purloin those of some of the successful 

 ones and the fight is on in earnest. Generally no harm is done other 

 than the loss of a few feathers and possibly, injury to the feeling of the 

 vanquished one. Having settled down to a peaceable domestic life, 

 they select a suitable clump of grass under which to build their home. 

 The young chicks, like those of all the game birds are very lively and 

 as soon as hatched it is a difficult matter to catch them. 



As soon as the young are able to fly, all the broods in the vicinity 

 together with the old birds form into a large band, sometimes number- 

 ing three or four hundred individuals. In this way they pass the win- 

 ter and if the weather is too cold the greater part of the young and 

 females migrate to the southwards. 



