134 
PHEASANTS AND TURKEYS 
When much hunted the grouse become as wary as any game birds, 
but in a few far-away corners of their range they are still numer¬ 
ous. To the sportsman used to the quick whirr of the pinnated and 
sharp-tailed grouse the heavy roar and steady flight of a magnificent 
black-breasted long-tailed old sage cock offers far too easy a target, 
and the birds soon become scarce when the country is settled. 
Considering their quiet dispositions and large size it seems strange 
that they have never been domesticated. The young birds are as 
delicious as any grouse, and while the old ones are often flavored 
with sage, a wholesome wormwood bitter, they can usually be cooked 
so that the flavor will not be noticed. Vernon Bailey. 
Mr. Frank Bond explains the fact that the chest feathers of the 
grouse become worn off during the breeding season. He says: 
“During the months of April and May the sage cocks are usually 
found in small flocks of a half dozen or more, stalking about with 
tails erect and spread after the manner of the strutting turkey cock. 
. . . Instead of dragging its wings upon the ground the sage cock 
will enormously inflate the air sacs of the neck until the whole neck 
and breast is balloon-like in appearance, then stooping forward almost 
the entire weight of the body is thrown upon the distended portion 
and the bird slides along on the bare ground or short grass for some 
distance, the performance being concluded by the expulsion of the 
air from the sacs, with a variety of chuckling, cackling, or rum¬ 
bling sounds. This performance is continued probably daily during 
the pairing and nesting season, and of course the feathers are worn 
away by the constant friction.” (The Auk, xvii. 325.) 
FAMILY FHASIANIDiE: PHEASANTS AND 
TURKEYS. 
KEY TO GENERA.. 
1. Head naked, skin wrinkled and warted .... Meleagris, p 
1'. Head feathered, except sometimes around eye. 
2. Head not crested. Phasianus, p 
2'. Head conspicuously crested. 
3. Neck with conspicuous erectile ruff Chrysolophus, p 
3'. Neck without ruff. Gennaeus, p 
GENUS PHASIANUS. 
General Characters. — Head not crested; male with brilliant metallic 
colors and handsome markings, tail lengthened, graduated, and vaulted, 
the feathers usually tapering to a point. Female much smaller and 
brownish, with upper parts more or less mottled, spotted, and marked with 
dusky. 
A dozen or more pheasants have been introduced into the United 
States, but the ring-necked is the only one that has thus far gained 
a foothold in the west. 
. 136. 
. 134. 
. 135. 
. 135. 
