f 



196 PI X NAT ED GROUSE {jETRAO CUPIDO). 



low-lying prairies, the viassasaivgay or dwarf rattle- 

 snake, being probably the most numerous of these 

 reptiles. 



When the pinnated grouse is excited by either 

 love or jealousy, the hackles previously alluded to 

 stand out at right angles from its neck, giving to the 

 bird a very handsome and game-like appearance ; 

 while in the cock the bare skin beneath their feathers 

 becomes inflated and assumes a deep orange colour. 



The distant prairies, where the squatter and farmer 

 are still scarce, are wonderfully attractive to the 

 naturalist and sportsman, more especially in the 

 early spring. If visited at sunrise, heavy mists will 

 be found lying densely over its surface, while 

 numerous sounds strike upon the ear denoting that 

 the visitor is surrounded by invisible animal life ; but 

 the strangest of all these sounds is a most musical, 

 deep and sonorous boo-boo-boo, far from unlike the 

 lowing of a distant bullock. How this deep mellow 

 note is produced is by the bird inhaling air into these 

 skin and feather covered receptacles, and afterwards, 

 with great power, forcing it out. 



This is the call of the cock pinnated grouse. By 

 rival males it is accepted as a challenge ; by the 

 female as a love call ; so, from far and near, r )id 

 wings will be noted in swift flight speeding to the 

 place from whence the call comes. 



After this a battle royal takes place, every cock 

 attacking his nearest rival, while the ladies, demure, 

 shy, timorous beauties, as of old, in the days of our 

 tournaments, look on approvingly. Feathers fly in 

 abundance ; the weak and young get knocked out of 

 time and retire, after which the conqueror struts 

 before the admiring females, and, Mahomedan-like, 

 adopts the most fascinating into his seraglio. 



