GROUSE— TROGON— S A WBILL— HUMMINGBIRD. 



143 



probable that this Grouse will be almost the only game available 

 for the amusement and gratification of the sportsman." 



" In their movements upon the ground these birds are peculiarly 

 graceful, imitating the walk of the quail, rather than the grouse, 

 never, seemingly, exhibiting the peculiar flirt of the tail, so char- 

 acteristic of the ruffled variety {Bonasa umbellus) ; but the step is 

 a stately one, embodying a great amount of dignity and pride for 

 so small a bird, which conveys a very pleasing picture to the eye 

 as it moves over the long, elastic moss, so abundant in the muskys 

 and swamps which it inhabits." 



" In summer the Wood Grouse feeds upon the various wild fruits, 

 as well as the buds and leaves of numerous plants and shrubs ; and 

 even larvae and beetles are most eagerly sought. In autumn, when 

 they gorge themselves with the berries of the Solomon's seals 

 (folygonatum and smi lacina) , the flesh attains a delicate flavor, 

 and becomes in no way inferior for the table to that of other Grouse ; 

 but in winter it is darker, that which was before of a rich, reddish 

 brown, assuming a blackish hue, and acquiring a peculiar bitter, 

 piny taste — « a flavor of fir tops,' as some one has it, owing to the 

 nature of the food consumed. An examination of their crops at 

 this season reveals the fact that they feed mainly on the buds and 

 leaves of the pine, larch, hackmatack, spruce, and other coniferse. 

 Some epicures, however, enjoy, and even prefer this strong, resin- 

 ous flavor. The nest of this species is constructed from leaves and 

 moss, artistically arranged over a groundwork of twigs, and con- 

 cealed beneath the dark, overhanging branches of a dwarf spruce 

 or fir. The eggs are from ten to eighteen in number, and present 

 a dull cream or fawn color, beautifully speckled and spotted with 

 brown." 



Willow Grouse. Willow Ptarmigan. White Ptarmigan. (Lagopus 



alius.") 



Fig. 2. 



This species is an inhabitant of Arctic America, from New 

 Foundland to Sitka, on the shores of Hudson's Bay. They may 

 be seen during the winter season assembled together in large flocks, 

 and, according to Mr. Hutchins, they have been captured by 

 the ten thousand in a single season at Severn river. Thickets of 

 willows and dwarf birches are said to afford them shelter during 

 the severe cold weather of winter, and their food during the 

 time consists of the buds of the smaller shrubs. *** When pursued 

 by sportsmen or birds of prey, they often terminate their flight by 

 hastily diving into the loose snow, making their way beneath its 

 surface with considerable celerity. In thick, windy, or snowy 

 weather, they were very shy, perching on the taller willows, 

 when it required a sharp eye to distinguish them from flakes of 

 snow. In the summer season they feed chiefly on the berries of 

 the Alpine arbutus and other shrubs and plants, which are laid 

 bare by the thaw, and which do not disappear until they are re- 

 placed by a new crop. They incubate about the beginning of 

 June, at which time the females molt. The males assume their 

 red-colored plumage as soon as the rocks and eminences become 

 bare, at which time they are in the habit of standing upon large 

 stones, calling in a loud and croaking voice to their mates, which, 

 still in their white wintery garb, are hidden in the snows below. 

 These birds are more usually in motion in the milder light of night 

 than in the broad glare of day." 



Northern Sharp-tailed Grouse. (Pedicecctes thasianellus.) 



Fig- 3- 



There are two varieties of this species, the Northern and South- 

 ern. The first-named is an inhabitant of the Arctic regions, where 



they may be met in coveys of from twelve to eighteen, and in 

 abundance, throughout the wooded districts of the fur countries, 

 frequenting the open glades or low thickets on the borders of the 

 lakes, especially where the forests have been partially cleared. 

 During the winter they are usually perched on trees, but in sum- 

 mer they keep to the ground. In winter these birds hide them- 

 selves in the snow, passing through the loose drifts with ease. At 

 this season their food consists of buds of the willows, larches, and 

 aspens, and in summer their food consists principally of berries. 

 The nest, which is usually built on the ground, is composed of 

 grasses, and lined with feathers, in which the female lays about 

 twelve eggs. 



Western Ruffed Grouse. Oregon Grouse. (Btnasa umbellus, var. 



Sabinl.) 



Fig. 4. 



This species is the western variety of the well-known Ruffed 

 Grouse, represented on Plate LXXV1II., and described on page 

 120. Dr. Cooper says: " It is an inhabitant of the forests, espe- 

 cially those of deciduous trees along streams, and about the bor- 

 ders of prairies, but never ventures far from the woods. At times 

 they feed about grain-fields, and early in the morning are fond of 

 dusting and sunning themselves on roads. From the dense covert 

 they usually inhabit they are not easy to shoot, but often alight 

 in trees, and, if quickly shot at, give time for killing them before 

 flying. 



PLATE XCVII. 



•North American Birds, vol. 3, p. 459. 



Mexican Trogon. {Trogon mexicanus.) 



Fig. 1. 



This beautiful species is an inhabitant of the valley of the Rio 

 Grande, and, like all members of its family, is possessed of gor- 

 geous colors. It is usually met with in woods and forests, espe- 

 cially preferring such as have a considerable height above the level 

 of the sea. The beauty of this bird can best be seen when it is 

 floating along in the air. Its song consists of a piping note, and 

 its food consists mostly of fruit and insects. 



Mot-Mot. Blue-headed Sawbill. Sawbill. (Momotus cceruleieeps.) 



Fig. a. 



This species is an inhabitant of Mexico, and is the only repre- 

 sentative that is occasionally met with in the United States. They 

 are said to lead a retired life, either alone or in pairs, and far from 

 the abode of man ; their cry, which resembles a note from a flute, 

 is most frequently heard in the morning and evening. Insects af- 

 ford their principal means of subsistence, and these they obtain in 

 a great measure from the surface of the ground. 



Costa Hummingbird. (Selasphorus costa.") 

 Fig. 3- 



This Hummingbird is a resident of the Colorado Valley, South 

 and Lower California. Its habits are doubtless similar to that of 

 the Anna Hummingbird, represented on Plate LXXIII., and de- 

 scribed on page 111. 



