Il8 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Arctic form of this species, the true P. phasianellus does not ex- 

 tend south of latitude 49 degrees, but is replaced in the United 

 States territory by the paler more southern bird, variety colum- 

 bianus. 



The prevailing colors of the Sharp-tailed Grouse, are a clear 

 dusky black above, and pure white beneath ; upper parts varie- 

 gated, with transverse, rather zigzag spots of yellowish brown ; 

 wing coverts with large rounded, and outer webs of primaries 

 with smaller and more quadrate, spots of pure white ; breast thickly 

 covered with broad V shaped, and the sides with less numerous, 

 sagittate marks of uniform clear slaty or dusky ; legs densely 

 feathered ; throat thickly spotted with dusky ; the two middle 

 feathers of the tail one inch longer than the others. 



In size, this species about equals the well known Prairie 

 Chicken or Pinnated Grouse, and altogether it is one of our finest 

 game birds. It lies splendidly to a dog, is strong and svrift on the 

 wing, and is surpassed by none of our birds in the delicacy and 

 excellence of its flesh. 



In addition to its table qualities, this bird is hardy and a good 

 breeder, and we strongly advocate its introduction into localities 

 from whence the Pinnated Grouse has been exterminated. The 

 barrens and scrub oaks of Long Island, if the outrageous poaching 

 which prevails there could be stopped, would be admirably 

 adapted to the propagation of this bird ; so also would certain 

 portions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The lowest limit of its 

 habitat is at present set down as latitude 41". The time is com- 

 ing when we shall have to breed our game as they do pheasants 

 in England, or conserve it as closely as are the grouse of the 

 British moors. The present indiscriminate netting and slaughter 

 will soon finish the Pinnated Grouse, but the Sharp-tails have as 

 yet escaped the pot-hunter, and it is to be hoped that before war 

 is declared upon them, sufficient numbers can be ottained for 

 breeding in localities where they can be protected. 



In the breeding season this species is said to select some lonely 

 place, where a covey meets every morning and runs around in a 

 circle of about twenty feet in diameter, so that the ground is worn 

 quite bare. If any one approaches this circle, the birds squat 

 close to the ground, but if not alarmed by a too near approach 



