230 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



of Manitoba gives a circumstantial account of the introduction of 

 this bird into Manitoba, and shows that its first recorded appearance 

 was in 1881 when one specimen was shot near Winnipeg. In the 

 autumn of 1882 one specimen was shot at Portage la Prairie. From 

 that time on it became more and more abundant in Manitoba, and 

 in the autumn of 1895 the writer saw one in the flesh killed at Indian 

 Head, Sask. This species seems to be a true prairie bird as observers 

 speak of it always being found in the open, even in the severest 

 weather. 



Rapidly increasing in numbers with the spread of settlement in 

 Manitoba and the west preferring cultivated lands. It is resident 

 wherever found and will scratch through A considerable depth of snow 

 for food in stubble fields and on ploughed lands, seldom feeding in 

 the bush from wild food. I have specimens from southern Sas- 

 katchewan where the bird is making its way in from Dakota. 

 {Atkinson.) This bird has to a large extent taken the place of the 

 sharp-tailed grouse in Manitoba. Nests have been found in long 

 grass and in stubble fields. (Criddle.) 



CXXXIII. PEDICECETES Baird. 1858. 



308. Northern Sharp-tailed Grouse. 



Pedicecetes phasianelltis (Linn.) Elliot. 1862. 



One specimen taken at the Saguenay river; another was ex- 

 posed for sale in the market of Quebec, 1887; Mr. Cooper says 

 it has been taken in the valley of Lake St. John. (Dionne.) Re- 

 ported as being found on the market at Sault Ste. Marie by Mr. 

 Bampton. (Mcllwraith.) Only one observed during the trip 

 to Labrador in 1896. This specimen was shot, June i8th, a short 

 distance south of Fort George. Said to be common at Moose 

 Factory and Fort George in winter. Common on James bay from 

 the mouth of Hannah river to East Point. Young able to fly July 8th, 

 1904. On Oct. 13th, 1896, a specimen was brought to me at Beau- 

 maris, Muskoka lake, Ont. It had been killed within a mile of the 

 place. Shortly afterwards I heard of two more being taken by Mr. 

 Eraser, of Port Cockbum, at the head of Lake Joseph. Also of one 

 or more at Bracebridge and several at Parry Sound. The bird I 

 handled was a very dark bird and it is evidently to be classed with 

 the northern variety. Since the above capttfres I have not heard 



