PEDIAECAETES OOLUMBIANUS. Elliot. 
SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 
TETRAO PHASIANELLUS. Ord. Gutlu-. Geog., 2d Amer. edit., ii., 1815, p. 317.— Nutt., Man., vol. i., 1832, p. 669.— And., Orn. Biog., vol. iv., 
1838, p. 569, pi. 382.^ — Ib. Syn., 1839, j). 205. — ^Ib. Birds of Amer., vol. v., 1842, p. 110, pi. 298. — ^Newb., Zool. Cal. and Or. Route. 
Rep. P. R. R. Surv., vol. vi., 1857, p. 94.— Bon. Syn., 1828, p. 127.— Coop, and Suckl., Nat. Hist. Wash. Territ., p. 223.— Bon. Am. 
Ornitli., vol. iii., p. 44, plate. 
PHASIANUS COLUMBIANUS. Ord. Gutli. Geog., 2d Amer. edit., 1815, vol. ii., p. 317. 
TETRAO HROPHASIANELLUS. Doug., Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. xvi., 1829, p. 136. 
PEDIAECAETES COLUMBIANUS. Elliot, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sciences (1863), p. , and 1864, p. 
PEDIAECAETES PHASIANELLUS. Baird, U. S. Ex. Exp. P. R. R., vol. ix. 
This fine bird, often confounded -with the well-known Pinnated Grouse or Prairie Chicken [GujJidonia Gup'ido), dwells on the plains bordering 
the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and so on westward across the continent. It has never, I believe, been obtained to the east of the Mississippi, 
but supplies, on the vast western plains, the place of its near ally. In their habits these two species somewhat resemble each other, but the 
Sharp-tail seems to be destitute of the gular sacks so prominent in the other during the spring. They congregate in flocks, sometimes of 
many hundreds, and as- they lie close, and fly only a short distance on being disturbed, afford very good sport to the gunner. They rise with 
the whirring noise, caused by the rapid beating of the wings, common to this family, and as they commence their flight, utter a clucking 
sound often repeated. They fly generally straight and rather swift, but in the fall are easily brought down by a cool sportsman. Their flesh 
resembles that of the “prairie chicken;” in fapt, I have been unable to distinguish the one from the other, when both have been served up 
together. The present species is never found on the high lands or in the forests, but is only to be procured upon the prairies, which are 
alone its natural home. 
Dr. Buckley says of this Grouse, that “AV^e first noticed the species in Nebraska, near Port Union, at the mouth of the Yellowstone River. 
Prom that point to the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and AYashington Territories, the species is exceedingly abundant, wherever there is open 
country and sufficiency of food. In certain places they are in great numbers in the autumn, congregating in large flocks, especially in the 
vicinity of patches of wild rye, and more recently near settlements -where there are wheat stubbles. They resemble the Pinnated Grouse in 
habits, and are good both for table and for sport. In places where they are numerous, they may frequently be found on cold mornings in 
the autumn or early winter, perched on fences or leafless trees, sunning themselves in the early sunlight. At Fort Dalles, on the 1st of Aju’il, 
1855, a young bird scarcely two days old was brought to me. This early incubation would lead us to suspect that the species in favorable 
situations has two or more broods during the season. The young bird above mentioned Avas confided to the matronly care of a hen Avith a 
young brood of chickens, but the young Grouse, not understanding the kindness of its foster-parent, ran and hid itself as soon as possible, 
and probably perished that very night from cold.” 
This species has been considered by ornithologists generally as the same as Linmeus’s Tetrao Phasianellus, and is mentioned, in the various 
works and papers devoted to this science, by that specific appellation. A number of specimens of Sharp-Tailed Grouse having arrived at the 
Smithsonian Institution from Arctic America, it was discovered on examination that they were the species described by the great Swede, 
and that our familiar bird Avas probably unknown to him. The points of difference will be fully described in my article on the Pediaecaetes 
Pliasianellus. 
The plate represents the male, female, and young of the natural size. The latter I believe have never before been figured, and I am indebted 
to my friend AV. J. Hays, Esq., well known as an artist unequalled in this country for his pictures of animal life, for the opportunity of intro- 
ducing them into my plate. These chicks were obtained by this gentleman during an excursion he made a short time since up the Missouri river, 
and are the only specimens that I am aAvare of, in any cabinet in this country. This species is sometimes brought to the markets in this city 
with the Prnnated Grouse, AAUich are sent from the extreme AVest, when there is a long continuance of cold weather. It is not generally dis- 
tinguished by the poultry venders from the better-known grouse, although by some of them it goes by the name of white-breasted prairie chicken. 
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