106 



Iu the spring of 1884, at Iowa City, Iowa, the first flocks passed over 

 March 10, and the bulk March 22 ; at Newton, Iowa, the bulk was noted 

 March 23. The " booming " of the species was recorded from March 7, 

 at Caddo, Ind. Ter., to March 24, at Barton, Dak. In the spring of 1885, 

 the commencement of " booming" was noted at Richmond, Kans., March 

 1, and at Argusville, Dak., March 27. At Newton, Iowa, the northward 

 movement was very pronounced March 11. 



Early nesting was reported at Durand, Wis., March 28 ; while at Ver- 

 million, Dak., in 1884, a nest with sixteen fresh eggs was found as late 

 as June 9. 



In the fall of 1885, at Des Moines, Iowa, Pinnated Grouse were mov- 

 ing south in large numbers October 17. 



307. Tympauuchus pallidicinctus (Ridgw.). [477a.] Lesser Prairie Ren. 



This Prairie Hen inhabits the eastern border of the Great Plains, 

 from southwestern Kansas to western Texas. Colonel Goss records it as 

 "resident in southern Kansas; rare." In Texas Mr. Lloyd states that 

 it is a winter visitor. He says : 



Seen in October and November in Concho county, and also in winter on Middle 

 Concho, in Tom Green county. Abundant near Colorado City, on the Texas and 

 Pacific Kailroad. I believe this record extends the range to the southwest. West- 

 ward it was abundant to the foot-hills of the Davis mountains. Said to have been 

 driven from the Pan Handle counties by the numerous prairie fires. (The Auk, Vol. IV, 

 1887, p. 187.) 



308. Pediocaetes phasianellus (Linn.). [478.] Northern Sharp-tailed Grouse. 

 The typical form is a British- American bird, reaching the United 



States only along our northern boundary. It is resident in Manitoba, 

 and was reported as common at Portage ]a Prairie. Specimens sent 

 to Mr. Eidgway from western Manitoba by Mr. E. E. Thompson are in- 

 termediate between true phasianellus and phasianellus campestris. 



308b. Pediocaetes phasianellus campestris Ridgw. [ — .] Prairie or Common 



Sharp-tailed Grouse. 



The home of the Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse is on the plains and prai- 

 ries of the United States east of the Eocky mountains and south to 

 New Mexico. Dr. Agersborg states that at Vermillion, Dak., it " is get- 

 ting rarer every year." I am indebted to Mr. Carr, of Waupaca, Wis., 

 for the boundaries of its range in that State. He writes : 



Sharp-tailed Grouse are quite abundant on Sisson's prairie, Portage county, in the 

 fall of the year, hut as soon as cold weather sets in they keep in the edge of the 

 floods. They are associated with the Prairie Hen {Tympauuchus americanus). They 

 range in the northwestern portion of the State, from about the center of Waushara 

 county, hut are found most abundant in Waushara, Waupaca, Portage, Shawano, 

 and Marathon counties, though there are not many in the two latter. 



Colonel Goss says they are still resident in middle and western Kan- 

 sas, but are becoming rare ; while Dr. Watson says that in the vicinity 

 of Ellis, Kans., they disappeared in 1875 and since then the Prairie 

 Hen (T. americanus) has taken their place. Even in Illinois a few are 

 still found, according to Mr. Eidgway, on the prairies of the northern 



