294 POULTRY AND WILD BIRDS 
they designate depends upon the country where they are employed. For 
example, the Ruffed Grouse is often called “‘ partridge” in the North 
and “‘ pheasant ” in the South, but in Europe both of these names refer 
to entirely different birds. 
305 Prairie Chicken. Prairie Hen. Length 18 inches. 
Has a broad tail, and the dark marks on its plumage form cross bars 
which are especially plain on the breast. In early spring the males make 
a loud booming sound which is very familiar in chicken countries. This 
PRAIRIE CHICKEN PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE 
species was formerly found on all the prairies of the Mississippi valley, 
its range extending westward to the central part of the Dakotas and Ne- 
braska, but it is no longer common except in the newer sections. A great 
favorite with hunters. P.R. 
308 b Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. Length 73 inches. 
A game bird similar to the preceding, both species being often called 
“ chickens ” without distinction. But this grouse’s tail is pointed and 
the dark marks on the plumage are V-shaped; the legs are feathered 
more, and the general color is paler than in case of the Prairie Chicken. 
Its range extends farther west than that of the Chicken and east of the 
Dakotas it is becoming pretty rare. In winter it generally leaves the 
prairie and betakes itself to wooded or bushy regions. P.R. 
