PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 



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There seems to be no spot especially favored by the 

 hen as a site for the nest, so long as it affords suitable 

 concealment. With the shelter of some bush, along the 

 bank of a stream where the cover is somewhat dense, 

 or in the midst of a clump of weeds, in thickets on the 

 hillside, or in a bunch of grass out on the open prairie, 

 she is equally satisfied, and in a slight hollow arched over 

 with grass deposits her eggs. These arc precisely 

 like those of the Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse, and the 

 usual number in a clutch is about a dozen, though some- 

 times considerably more are laid, and but one brood is 

 raised in a season. The hen is a very close sitter, and 

 her plumage harmonizes so well with her surroundings 

 that it is a very difficult matter to discover her on the 

 nest. In about three weeks the chicks appear, and the 

 mother is very solicitous for their welfare, leading them 

 in search of insects, which at first comprise their means of 

 subsistence, and keeping them near some thickets where 

 they can easily hide on the approach of danger. She 

 clucks to them like a domestic hen, and shelters them 

 under her wings from the storm. In spite of all her care 

 many a downy chick disappears, borne away in the talons 

 of some Hawk which has swooped suddenly upon the 

 brood from an unlooked for quarter, or else a watchful 

 fox or other quadruped, or gliding snake, has snatched 

 one of the little creatures as it chased some flying insect. 

 Not many of the members of a brood that is hatched 

 reach maturity, for numerous vacancies from various 

 causes are usually created in the ranks. Toward the last 

 of September the young are about full grown, and at this 

 time they lie well to the dog, and generally are not wild. 

 The flock does not rise simultaneously, always some of 

 its members remaining after the others are well upon the 

 wing. As they flush they utter a cackling cry, and this 



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