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THE AMERICAN NATURALIST 



[Vol. XLI 



ly unsatisfactory^ in his account of the mating of the pinnated 

 grouse (Tympanuchus) gives one the impression that he beheves 

 the bird to be monogamous, while in his account of the ruffed 

 grouse (Bonasa) he states in referring to the latter species, that 

 "The males have the liberty of promiscuous concubinage, although 

 not to such an extent as those of the pinnated grouse."^ Bendire, 

 on the other hand when describing the habits of the ruffed grouse 

 (B. umhellus) says, "By many persons the ruffed grouse is consid- 

 ered polygamous, and while I can not actually disprove that 

 assertion, I doubt it very much."^ 



Again authors are at variance in their opinions with respect 

 to the several species of the sharp-tailed grouse (Pediocsetes) 

 ^nd E. T. Seton, quoted by Bendire, says of the prairie sharp- 

 tailed grouse in describing the remarkable dance of the males, "Its 



erratic character can hardly be questioned The whole affair 



bears a close resemblance to the mancKuvring of the European 

 ruff, and from this and other reasons I am inclined to suspect 

 the sharp-tail of polygamy."^ 



The curious hoatzin of tropical South America (( )pisth()comus) 

 in a way related to the (iallina?, is said to be polygamous, but as 

 yet we stand quite in ignorance of some of the habits of this inter- 

 esting form in nature. 



Sand-grouse f Syrrliaptcs) and their kin 1 believe are nionoga- 

 moiis, and I tlo not at tins writiiin- i-ccall any species ol' wild pigeon 

 (Colinnl.it'oniiesi that has anv other fofni of mating in the breeding 



