107 
part of the State, but are very scarce. They were recorded as rare resi- 
dents at Grinnell, Iowa. In Grant and Traverse counties, in western 
Minnesota, they are “the common Grouse of the region.” (Roberts and 
Benner, Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. V, 1880, p. 17.) 
309. Centrocercus urophasianus (Bonap.). [479.] Sage Grouse; Sage Cock. 
In the Mississippi Valley district the Sage Cock is found only along 
the extreme western edge of Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota. Colonel 
Goss gives it as resident in western Kansas, and cites Mr. Cavanaugh as 
having often killed it among the sage brush in the southwestern corner 
of the State. The Colonel does not state whether or not there is any 
‘ other record of the occurrence of the species in the State. This record 
has been called in question by Dr. Watson, of Ellis, Kans., who says 
there is not, and never has been, any sage brush in the southwestern 
part of the State, and hence no Sage Cock. He suggests that the bird 
Mr. Cavanaugh saw was the Chaparral Cock (Geococcyx californianus). 
There is no reason to doubt the other records. 
310. Meleagris gallopavo Linn. [470a.] Wild Turkey. 
Occurs locally throughout the Mississippi Valley, south to eastern 
Texas, and west to the plains; resident wherever found. The range of 
this “the noblest of American game-birds” has been gradually con- 
tracted by its extermination in tne settled parts of the country. In 1874 
Dr. Coues gave its northern limit as not far from the southern boundary 
of Minnesota. Dr. Agersborg states that it is resident, though not 
common, in southeastern Dakota. In 1881 it was common in Knox 
county, Ind. (Ridgway). It is still reported from Nebraska, Kansas, 
and Illinois, growing more abundant to the southward until in Indian 
Territory it is no longer nncommon. That it is abundant around Red 
Rock, Indian Territory, I can testify from personal experience. Here 
it rivals the Prairie Hen in numbers, and lying well to a dog affords 
splendid sport. In the winter of 1883-84 flocks were seen which were 
variously estimated as comprising from two hundred to five hundred 
individuals. In the southern part of the Territory I have seen the 
bottom of a lumber wagon piled up with the results of a single night’s 
sport. If one wants Turkey hunting let him come to Indian Territory 
from December 1 to the middle of January. 
310a. Meleagris gallopavo mexicana (Gould). [470.] Mexican Turkey. 
This, the original ancestor of the domesticated Turkey, inhabits the 
table-lands of Mexico, western Texas, and Arizona. Specimens referred 
to this form were taken by Mr. Atwater at San Antonio, Tex., where 
the species is resident; its eggs also were secured. Mr. Lloyd says of 
it in western Texas: : 
Resident. Once very abundant on every creek, but now rarely to be met with. I 
flushed a hen from her nest—a depression in a patch of low bushes—May 29, 1882, con- 
