COCK OF THE PLAINS. 
213 
. e beautiful series of North American grouse, in the 
rank that the cock of the woods so justly claims 
•pl'rl those of Europe aud Asia. 
L ''is fine bird, like its European analogue, seems to 
Restricted within certain hounds, and is probably no 
numerous, owing to its bulk, limited powers of 
jp-'t, aud the eagerness with which it is pursued ; hut 
i ( '"% to its polygamous habits, which are the cause of 
t| f Perate combats between the males for the possession 
c 1 females. However long the period since it was 
R heard of in the accounts of hunters and travellers, 
iut ltl0re was known than that there existed in the 
(“prior of America a very large species of grouse, 
(y'l by the hunters of the west the prairie turkey, 
t 6 have little to add, it is true, to what is known of 
If habits, but we have it in our power to say that we 
Seen j t . u . e can determine its place in the system; 
R now give a faithful description of at least one 
ll| Y<“ have again to acknowledge ourselves indebted, 
t : '!ss to the industry and sagacity, than to the liberal 
,,f "’s of Mr Leadbeater, for the present opportunity 
J representing this bird. Ilis invaluable collection 
r, ‘kaius the only specimen known to be any where 
K rvpd ' 
■tofhe name of cock of the plains was given by Lewis 
tj j | Llark, and we have retained it, as being not 
Hi- appropriate, but at the same time analogous to 
R of the large European species called cock of the 
fi, 0( k. Similar reasons have influenced us in selecting 
Uij 1 ', Scientific name, which, though perhaps too long, 
(J! ill compounded, has nevertheless the advantage of 
ul >ini n a' analogy in meaning with the indication of 
remarkable characteristic of the bird. This 
is in fact distinguished from all others of its 
and especiallv from its European analogue, by 
g tail, composed of twenty narrow, tapering, 
J? te fathers ; thus evincing the fallacy of the character 
Jfneously attributed to all the grouse, of having broad 
1 rounded tail-feathers. It is a singular fact, that 
? e »ii s 
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