PRAIRIE CHICKEN {Tympanuchus 

 americanus americanus) . Often known, too, 

 as Prairie Hen and as "Pinnated Grouse." 

 These are the game birds of the plains in the 

 interior. They flock during the fall and winter 

 months, lie well to dogs, frequent open, easily 

 traversed country and above all their large 

 size, 1 8 inches in length, and tender pala- 

 table flesh are a reward to the hunter in addi- 

 tion to the sport of capture. However, they 

 do not require anywhere near the skill and 

 quickness to secure that the Ruffed Grouse 

 does. They are hunted on foot, on horse- 

 back, in carriages and even from automo- 

 biles, but always with dogs to locate the 

 chickens and to put them up. 



They frequent the plains of central North 

 America from southern Canada south to 

 Texas. 



During the mating season the males per- 

 form the most ludicrous antics; assembhng 

 on a slight rise, they strut about with the pin- 

 nates elevated and the orange sacs beneath 

 inflated untfl they look Hke little oranges 

 and almost conceal the head which is drawn 

 down between them; the short tail is spread 

 fan-like over the back; from all sides come 

 the deep booming notes sounding like the 

 gathering of a lot of enormous bullfrogs. 

 When they get worked up to the proper 

 pitch, the fight for partners is on in earnest, ' 

 the feet, wings and bills being used with savage effect. The winners, of 

 course, secure the belles, while the losers take what is left or go through 

 the season as bachelors. 



HEATH HEN (Tympanuchus cupido). This is the Prairie Chicken of the 

 east, now confined to the island of Martha's Vineyard, but formerly ranging 

 over southern New England and part of the Middle States. They are very 

 little smaller than the last, the scapulars are broadly tipped with buff and the 

 pinnates are pointed and less than ten in number. 



LESSER-PRAIRIE CHICKEN {Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is smaUer 

 and paler, and the bars on the back are brown with black edgings. Found on 

 plains from Kansas to Texas. 



PRAIRIE HEN 

 HEATH HEN 



S2 



