SAGE GROUSE. 
309. Centrocercus urophasianus. 29 inches. 
The female of this large and interesting Grouse differs from 
the male only in its smaller size and paler plumage. They 
are found in abundance on the dry sagebrush covered plains 
about the Rocky Mountains and to the westward. In fall and 
winter their food consists almost entirely of the leaves of 
the sagebrush, their flesh being unfit to eat at this season. 
In the mating season they indulge in the usual antics of the 
grouse family. They have the same peculiar sacs on the 
sides of the neck which they inflate so that the whole neck 
is a small orange colored balloon, at the same time spreading 
their long pointed tail feathers to their fullest extent, and 
strutting about after the manner of the turkey. 
Nest. —Are shallow hollows in the ground, under, generally, 
a sagebush or some protection to cover the nest; six to twelve 
eggs of a greenish drab color, spotted with brown (2.15x1.50). 
MERRIAM TURKEY. 
310. Meleagris gallopavo merriami. 48 inches. 
Female much duller and smaller than the male. The plumage 
is a coppery bronze color and their upper tail coverts are a 
dusty color with no white edges. 8 to 16 eggs; buff spotted 
with brownish (2.55 x 1.90). 
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