GROUSE, PTARMIGANS, ETC.: COLUMBIAN GROUSE 209 
General Habits. —The Prairie Chicken like the Sage Grouse is a 
peculiarly interesting bird which might be reestablished in New Mexico. 
“It formerly inhabited all of the sandhill type of country in eastern New 
Mexico,” and if its range lands are not abused by overgrazing, with 
proper protection not only on its safer breeding grounds but in more 
exposed situations when wandering in fall and winter, it should reestab¬ 
lish itself over its former range (Ligon, 1927). It is also easily domes¬ 
ticated and could probably be successfully introduced about ranches 
on the Staked Plains where it might be of material value as a game bird. 
Its famous courtship dances and loud booming calls make it a most 
interesting addition to any neighborhood. 
Additional Literature.—Chapman, F. M., Camps and Cruises of an Orni¬ 
thologist, 229-235 (dances).— Pierce, F. J., Wilson Bulletin, XXXIV, 100-106,1922. 
COLUMBIAN SHARP-TAILED GROUSE: Pedioecetes phasianellus colum- 
bianus (Ord) 
Description. —Length 15-19 inches; wing 8.5-9; tail 4-5.5. Adults: Head with 
a soft pointed crest, brownish black with buffy feather edgings; a yellow naked comb 
over eye; neck deep buff, throat nearly immaculate; upperparts buffy grayish or 
grayish clay color with interrupted transverse black bars; pointed tail marked with 
brownish black and buffy white; shoulders with longitudinal spots of white; quills 
Courtesy of The Auk ; photograph by E. S. Cameron 
Fig. 35. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse ( Pedioecetes phasianellus campestris) 
In winter the feet and legs become “rabbit-like,” and the horny fringes of 
the toes serve well as snowshoes 
