NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 149 



308. Pediocffltes phasianellus (Linn.) [478.] 



Sharp-tailed Grouse. 



Hab. British America, north to Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution and the regions about Great Slave 

 Lake, south to Moose Factory, Lake Winnipeg and northern shore of Lake Superior. 



The Sharp-tailed Grouse, in its various forms, inhabits the western 

 and northwestern plains of the United States and the northern por- 

 tions of North America, frequenting the grassy prairies and the 

 wooded districts. It is commonly called Pin-tail Grouse. 



The present species is said to be especially abundant in the terri- 

 tory between Great Bear Lake, Fort Simpson, and the country border- 

 ing Great Slave Lake. 



It is found in the open glades or low thickets on the borders of 

 streams and large bodies of water, this being the case where the forests 

 are partially cleared. At all seasons it is found in small flocks, in the 

 winter perching on trees, but keeping to the ground in the summer. 



In winter it often hides in the deep snow, and works its way under 

 the surface with ease, feeding as it progresses on the buds of the wil- 

 lows, larches, aspens, etc. Its food in the summer and autumn is 

 principally berries. The eggs are deposited in the first part of June 

 in a nest on the ground, made of coarse grasses and lined with feathers. 

 The eggs are of a dark, tawny brown, minutely dotted or speckled 

 with darker spots of brown. 



The number laid ranges from six to fourteen, usually twelve. The 

 average size is 1.75 x 1.25. 



308a. Pediocaetes phasianellus columbianus (Ord.) [478a.J 



Colnmljlaii Sharp-tailed Grome. 



Hab. Plains of Northwestern United States. 



Dr. Coues says : The Pin-tail Chicken inhabits the western por- 

 tions of Minnesota, a small part of Iowa, all of Dakota, thence diag- 

 onally across Nebraska and Kansas to Colorado in the Laramine and 

 Upper Platte regions ; from thence westward in suitable localities to 

 the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges ; northern limit to be conven- 

 tionally established along the northern border of the United States, 

 beyond which it shades into the true phasianellus. In fine, this is the 

 prairie chicken of the whole Northwest; usually occurring where C. 

 cupido does not, the two overlap to some extent.* 



In some portions of Manitoba it is said to be very abundant, living 

 exclusively on the open prairie in summer, and exclusively in the 

 wooded districts in winter. The nest is placed on the ground, com- 

 posed of a few dry grasses arranged in a circular form. The bird is 

 esteemed as highly for the table as the Prairie Hen. 



* Key to North American Birds, pp. 582-583. 



