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GUPIDONIA CUPIDO. 
to the prairie toward eveuiug to roost. It is very diiScult to approach them when among the corn, as a person makes so much noise 
passing between the stalks, that the birds become alarmed, and take to flight often unobserved. Many an honr have I passed, toiling 
after them in these imfavorable localities, and considered myself fortunate if five or six birds were the result of the hunt. 
In winter the Prairie Chickens perch upon the fences, and early in the morning the topmost rails for a long distance are often com- 
pletely hidden by the multitude of Grouse which have settled on them. As soon as the sun is two or three hours high, they leave their 
perches to seek their food. 
This species is capable of going for a considerable time without water, the districts they inhabit being generally dry ; and they are 
accustomed to quench their thirst by picking off the drops of rain or dew that glisten upon the leave.s and grass. 
Their flesh, when young, is white, but in the adidt quite dark ; and is generally jnucli esteemed as an article of food. 
Unlike the Euffed Grouse, w^hich is of an untamable disposition, the Prairie Hen is easily domesticated, and will breed in confinement. 
When this species takes flight, it is with much less whirring of the wings than is characteristic of other members of this family, and 
frequentljq on rising, they utter a few distinct clucks. 
The two sexes I'esemble each other closely in their plumage, the princq^al difference being that the male possesses the gular sacks, and 
tufts of lengthened feathers upon the sides of the neck. They may be described as follows ; 
General color of the upper parts brown, transversely barred wdth blackish brow'u ; wings lighter brown ; primaries grayish brown, with 
spots of reddish yellow on the outer webs. Tail-feathers piu’plish brown, the two middle ones lighter and mottled with brownish black. 
Loral space and throat light buff. The long feathers of the neck are yellowish red, dark brown on the outer webs. Under parts white, 
marked with broad curved bauds arranged in regular serie.s, of a grayish brown ; under-tail coverts white, crossed wuth brown and mar- 
gined with black. Membrane over the eye, and gular sack, orange yellow. Bill du,sky ; feet yellow. Feathers of the legs gray, minutely 
banded with yellowish brown. 
The plate represents a male in the act of tooting to a female surrounded by her brood. 
The figures are all life-size. 
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