( 503° ) 
COCK OF THE PLAINS. 
TETRAO UROPHASIANUS. BoNnaAPARTE. 
PLATE CCCLXXI. Mater anp Fematet. 
A.ruovucs the Cock of the Plains has long been known to exist 
within the limits of the United States, the rugged and desolate nature 
of the regions inhabited by it has hitherto limited our knowledge of 
its habits to the cursory observations made by the few intrepid travel- 
lers, who, urged by their zeal in the cause of science, have ventured to 
explore the great ridge of mountains, that separate our western prairies 
from the rich valleys bordering on the Pacific Ocean. Two of these 
travellers, my friends Dr Townsenp and Mr Norratt, have favoured 
me with the following particulars respecting this very remarkable spe- 
cies, the history of which, not being myself personally acquainted with 
it, I shall endeavour to complete by adding some notes of Mr Dovetas. 
“ Tetrao Urophasianus, Pi-imsh of the Wallah Wallah Indians, d/ak- 
esh-too-yoo of the Nezpercee Indians, is first met with about fifty miles 
west of the Black Hills. We lose sight of it in pursuing the route by 
the Snake River until we reach Wallah Wallah, on the banks of the 
Columbia, near the mouth of Lewis River. This bird is only found on 
the plains which produce the worm-wood (Artemisia), on which plant 
it feeds, in consequence of which the flesh is so bitter that it is reject- 
ed as food. It is very unsuspicious, and easily approached, rarely flies 
unless hard pressed, runs before you at the distance of a few feet, 
elucking like the common Hen, often runs under the horses of travel- 
lers when disturbed, rises very clumsily, but when once started flies 
with rapidity to a great distance, and has the sailing motion of the 
Pinnated Grous. In the autumn they frequent the branches of the 
Columbia River, where they feed on a narrow-leaved plant. At this 
time they are considered good food by the natives, who take great 
quantities of them in nets. J. K. TownsEnp.” 
“ On the north branch of the Platte (Larimie’s Fork) we begin to 
meet with the Tetrao Urophasianus in considerable numbers, always on 
the ground in small flocks or pairs, by no means shy, but when too 
nearly approached arising with a strong whirring noise, and uttering at the 
