THE HEATH HEN 15 
regular, though less distinct and on a paler 
ground. Tail short, rounded, and carried more 
erectly than is the usual manner with the 
grouse, dusky in color, the feathers crossed by 
uncertain barrings of lighter shade. Crissum 
white. On each side of the neck are the long, 
narrow tufts of feathers, the type character, 
(in the western bird numbering ten or more and 
somewhat rounded at the tips, but in the Heath 
Hen less than ten in number, shorter and more 
pointed at the ends) and beneath these are two 
bare patches of skin which in the mating season 
are distended with air until they resemble small 
oranges. There is a slight crest on the head. 
Feet feathered to the toes with short, hair-like 
feathers. The female is marked like the male, 
but is somewhat smaller, of lighter and less de- 
cided colors. Her neck-tufts also are consider- 
ably smaller. The eastern bird is, if in any way 
different, a little smaller, darker colored, and 
perhaps shorter-legged than is the typical bird 
of the west. A distinct whitish spot on the tips 
of the scapulars is also a distinguishing char- 
acter of the eastern race. 
The Heath Hens do not gather into packs as 
winter comes on, (perhaps because, all told, 
