COCK OF THE PLAINS. 507 
Adult Female. Plate CCCLXXI. Fig. 2. 
The female is much smaller than the male, and differs in being des- 
titute of the bare skin on the fore neck, in having the superciliary 
membranes smaller, the plumage entirely of ordinary texture; the 
tail less elongated, with the feathers less narrow and ending in a 
rounded point. All the upper parts, fore neck and sides are variegated 
with brownish-black, yellowish-grey and whitish disposed nearly as in 
the male ; the throat whitish, the fore part of the breast white, the mid- 
dle part brownish-black, the legs and tarsi as in the male, as are the 
quills ; the tail-feathers mottled like the back and tipped with white. 
Length to end of tail 22 inches; wing from flexure 10}; tail 73; 
bill along the ridge 1,4; tarsus 11% ; middle toe 144, its claw 7%. 
The size of this species has been exaggerated, it having been by 
some compared to the Turkey, and by others to the Great Wood Grous 
of Europe, Tetrao Urogallus, whereas, in fact, it seems not much to ex- 
ceed Tetrao hybridus. In some individuals, as I am informed by Dr 
TownseEnp, the hair-like shafts of the feathers on the sides of the neck, 
are considerably longer than in my figure of the male. 
