140 



GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



I -A 



by his neighbor as he rises from the ground. It never 

 perches or settles in trees, but sometimes is seen mounted 

 on a branch of a sage bush, a few feet from the ground. 

 It keeps away from the woods, and is, as its name impHes, 

 a bird of the plains, a familiar feature of those vast, desert, 

 treeless districts, covered by the peculiar pale green sage 

 bush. The Sage Grouse may be able to go a long time 

 without water, but if it is readily obtained, as when 

 they are in the vicinity of a spring or small stream, they 

 are accustomed to drink twice a day, in the early morn- 

 ing, and again at evening. Sometimes considerable 

 numbers are gathered together at such places, espe- 

 cially if the localities which contain a supply of water 

 are widely separated. Like the Pinnated and Sharp- 

 tailed Grouse, members of flocks of the present species 

 do not all flush together, but always one or more 

 remain after the main body is on the wing; and when 

 hunting them, it is not well to take it for granted 

 that all have departed until the ground in the vicinity 

 has been well searched, for it is pretty certain that 

 at least one bird will be found which had vainly con- 

 sidered itself securely hidden and safe from discovery. 

 The Sage Grouse is a large and heavy bird, the males 

 frequently measuring two and a half feet in length, and 

 weighing at times as much as eight pounds. The female 

 is considerably smaller, so much so that occasionally 

 the discrepancy is so great as to cause remark; but 

 as may be supposed in such large birds, the indi- 

 viduals of neither sex are always of the same size, and 

 those of lesser growth tan find, if needed, mates not dis- 

 proportionate to themselves. It is a splendid bird. 

 which any country may be proud to claim as native to 

 its boundaries, and may it long be preserved to enliven 

 tiie desolate regions among which it dwells! 



.SiilUlU 



