GROUSE, PTARMIGAN 



(306) Tympanuchus cupido 



{Linn.) (The pinnates beinp likened to 

 "Cupid's wings"). 



HEATH HEN. Resembling the 

 common Prairie Chicken, but 

 shghtly smaller, with larger buffy- 

 white spots on the scapulars, the 

 crown more rufous and the pinnates 

 of less than ten pointed feathers. 



Range — The wooded portions of 

 island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. 

 (307) Tympanuchus pallidi- 

 cinctus {Ridgway). 



LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN. 

 Slightly smaller and paler than the 

 Prairie Chicken; the bars, both 

 above and below, instead of being 

 solid are composed of a brown body 

 bordered on either edge with black. 



Range — Plains from Kan. south 

 to Tex. 



species, including three very distinct types. The Willow 

 Ptarmigan has quite a stout bill and black outer tail feathers; 

 the Rock Ptarmigan has a much smaller bill, black outer tail 

 feathers and a black spot in front of the eye; and White- 

 tailed Ptarmigan, in all seasons, have pure white tails. 



PRAIRIE CHICKENS are to the hunters of the plains 

 what Ruffed Grouse are to those of wooded regions, "Kings 

 of Game Birds. " From a sporting point of view, they entail 

 few of the hardships often found in successfully hunting the 

 eastern grouse, for they can easily be hunted from horse- 

 back, in carriages, or even from automobiles. They flush 

 from the grass or low-brush covered plains singly or not more 

 than two at a time, so that the gunner has time to soinetimes 

 "bag" the whole flock. Their flight is swift and low, but 

 in a straight line and interspersed with short sailings. 



The courtship of Prairie Chickens is a unique and enter- 

 taining performance. The place selected for the amphithe- 

 atre is usually a rather bare rise on the prairie. To this spot 

 the actors, the cock birds, and the spectators, the hens, repair 

 every morning for a week or more. The males will strut 



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