316 
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 
It begins to nest about the middle of May, and then its persecution perforce ceases 
since it no longer resorts to the stubble-fields and pastures for oo , , » 
paired, retires to the hills, where it is out of reach. , viwihle 
The numbers killed, although in some sections very great, appear to have no v lsible 
effect in diminishing its abundance. . , , ,, /vF 
It migrates south early, and but few are to be found m eva . ( ^ , , , ., 
August. As late as the 23d of September I noticed a few young birds, probably the 
late second broods, still lingering about the stubble along Crooked River, Oregon. 
Columba Linmeus. 
C. fasciata (Say). Band-tailed Pigeon. _ 
At The Dalles I caught a glimpse of a solitary individual which I identified as this 
species. It is said by both Cooper and Suckley to be abundant to the west of the 
mountains, and doubtiess wanders across the range with greater or less frequency, lie 
abundance or scarcity of food, especially acorns, having much to do in determining its 
presence or absence in a region. Dr. Newberry speaks of it as occurring at rhe Dalles 
in fall. 
TETRAONIDAE—Grouse. 
Canace Bonaparte. 
C. obscurus (Say). Dusky Grouse. 
The “blue arouse,” which is found in the Sierra and Cascade Ranges, a-t least along 
their eastern slopes and as high up as the Columbia River, is the typical middle region 
form, obscurus. . . 
The mountain forests, especially those composed largely of firs and spruces, abound 
with this fine game-bird. Several broods of young chicks were found about the middle 
of June. „ , „ , . . 
First plumage of young .—Feathers of the back and wings (except primaries) with 
broad central line of white, and marked transversely with spots and bars of black 
and rufous brown; throat and belly brownish white; breast and sides of body pro- 
fuselv maculated with black. 
Centrocercus Swainson. 
C. urophasianus (Bp.). Sage Hen. 
Numerous as is this species in many portions of the Rocky Mountain region, it ap¬ 
pears to be even more abundant in the sterile tracts that lie just east of the Sierra 
Nevada and Cascade Ranges, where it is generally diffused in all suitable localities 
from a point well up towards our northern boundaries to as far south as the Mojave 
River where reported by Cooper. The most southern point at which the bird was 
encountered by our parties was about fifty miles south of Carson, as indicated by Lieu¬ 
tenant Macomb. Somewhat to the north of here it begins to be very numerous, and iu 
certain localities, as near old Camp Warner, Oregon, its numbers are simply astonish¬ 
ing. A day’s ride through this section in almost any dire tion will reveal baud after 
band, many containing numerous individuals. 
During the summer it inhabits preferably the low mountains and hills, which are 
only saved from utter barrenness and destitution by a growth of sage or brush of simi¬ 
lar kind and a scanty covering of coarse grass. The little valleys intervening contain 
occasional springs, which with the surrounding plats of green verdure form little oases, 
and these are the centers around which congregate, at least, thrice a day, all the sage- 
hens within a considerable area. When making the usual night’s camp we have often 
started up fifty or more of these big grouse'almost within stone’s throw of the solitary 
pool of water. At midday, too, flocks of old and young love to come in from the 
sterile tracts where they have been feeding, to drink and bathe and repose in the grate¬ 
ful shade which they find only in such spots. 
After the young are able to run about, I believe the mother bird assumes sole charge 
over them, and that the old cocks assemble into bauds and remain by themselves. I 
have on several occasions seen a dozen or more old males, lean in flesh and with plum¬ 
age soiled and worn, thus associated. The old cock, under such circumstances, is a 
wary bird and knows well how to take care of himself. Little need, however, has he of 
his caution, since his toughness and general unsavoriuess will be likely to cause anyone 
who once has made his acquaintance on the table to give him a wide berth iu the future. 
But it is some time ere the young learn fully the necessary lesson of caution and self-de¬ 
pendence, and even after they have become almost fully grown they may frequently 
beputupone by one and killed without causing the dispersion of the rest of the baud. 
