430 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



TliL-ir notes, at times, strongly reseinMed those of tlie common Hen He 

 never n.ot with them in any forest, nor have they been taken near the coast 

 ot Calit'drnia. 



This species was first obtaine.l by Lewis and Clarij's party in their expe- 



Cfnlrnrrmis iirophnsinnii.^. 



dition to the Rocky Mountains. It was afterwards met with by Douglas 

 who pubhshed in tlie Li.niiean Transactions (X\l, p. l;3.S) an account of its 

 liabits. He described its fliglit as slow, unsteady, and as affording but little 

 amusement to the sportsman ; being a succession of fiutterings, rather than 

 anytliing else. Tliey ri.se hurriedly, giving two or tin-ee flai)s of the win" 

 swinging from side to side in their movement, and gradually falling, making 

 a whirring sound, at the same time uttering a cry of cuck-cuck-cnd; like the 

 common rhea.sant. They pair in March and April. 



At the mating-season the male is said to select some small eminence on 

 tlie banks of streams for the very singular performances it goes through with 

 at that period in tlie presence of its mate. The wings are lowered and 

 dragged on the ground, makhig a buzzing sound ; the tail, somewhat erect, ia 



