The Sage-Hen 



coveys may unite 

 to form a "pack," 

 and the male birds 

 are allowed to re- 

 join the company. 

 Stories are told of 

 bands 

 up to 





■ : - .- ... 



numbering 



^IK^iS^ 



Taken in Oregon 



PORTRAIT OF SAGE GROUSE 



a thousand, 

 but small flocks are 

 the rule. These 

 Grouse, like all oth- 

 ers in America, with 

 the partial excep- 

 tion of the Pinna- 

 ted, are non-migra- 

 tory; but they are 

 mildly nomadic in 

 their habits, mov- 

 ing about in the 

 flocking season 

 from one portion of 

 their local range to 

 another. 



Although far larger — males weigh five or six pounds, and eight- 

 pound birds are of record — the Sage Grouse resembles the Sharp-tail in 

 many ways. Like the latter it will crouch low upon the ground, or, 

 especially if the passerby be on horseback or in a wagon, will "freeze" 

 beside a sage-bush in hopes of escaping detection. When put to flight, 

 it has the same harsh rattle or cackle, increased in proportion to its size. 

 It rises heavily with violent exertion of alternating wing-strokes, and 

 after each repetition of such efforts, rests, in long stiff sails. The birds 

 lie well to a dog, or not, according to circumstances, and a flock is seldom 

 found lying as close together as is the case with Sharp-tailed Grouse. 



In the courting antics of this valiant son of the desert, Nature has 

 indulged a fresh fancy. Indeed, it is to be suspected that the Dame takes 

 a special delight in making some of the most staid and prosaic of her 

 male progeny appear in a ridiculous light, when under the influence of 

 the tender passion. This grizzled veteran of the wormwood does not 

 express his sentiment with either dignity or grace. No; he first inflates 

 the air-sacs which line his neck until they assume alarming proportions, 

 meeting in front and frequently engulfing his head ; the tail with its spiny 

 feathers is spread to the utmost and pointed skyward ; then the gallant 



1605 



Photo by Finley and Bohlman 



