PRAIRIE HEN. 



Ill 



At one time this bird was dispersed over a large part 

 of the eastern United States, and was by no means es- 

 pecially a prairie dweller, but it is difficult to ascer- 

 tain where its limits and those of the Heath Hen, now 

 restricted to Martha's Vineyard, originally were, but 

 probably somewhere along the boundaries of the Middle 

 States. I do not imagine the Heath Hen was more of 

 a woodland species than is the Prairie Chicken, but both 

 dwelt among the open woods if there were any within 

 their range. In the spring, in the early mornings, 

 throughout the country which this species inhabits, soon 

 after daybreak, is heard the loud booming of the males, 

 when, assembled upon some slight elevations in the prai- 

 rie, they inflate and exhaust the yellow sacs on either side 

 of the neck, producing, as the orange-colored bladder 

 collapses, a low, booming sound that can be heard for 

 a long distance. The lengthened feathers un the neck 

 at such times are elevated and projected stiffly forward, 

 almost meeting above the head. When their sacs are 

 fully extended the bird has a most comical appearance, 

 as his head nearly disappears between the enormous 

 globes which stand out in either side until his neck has 

 as large a diameter as his body. The tail is raised above 

 the back and spread out to its fullest extent, and the 

 wings are lowered with the primaries scraping along 

 the ground. In this uncomfortable attitude the male 

 struts before the females, who at first take but little 

 interest in the exhibition and hardly deign a glance 

 at their adorer, striving so hard to appear magnificent 

 and attractive. He makes a sudden rush forward, dart- 

 ing fiery glances from his eyes, peering out from beneath 

 the neck feathers, anxiously watching the effect his strik- 

 ing appearance is having upon the fair ones, and then, 

 lowering his bill toward the ground and spreading the 



