38 
SHARP-TAILED GROUS. 
became satisfied that the Ruffed Grous was the only species to be 
found in Virginia. 
The gallant and lamented Governor Lewis gave the first 
authentic information of the existence of this bird within the 
limits of these states. He met with it on the upper waters of the 
Missouri, but observes, that it is peculiarly the inhabitant of the 
great plains of the Columbia. He states also that the scales, or 
lateral processes of the toes, with which it is furnished in winter 
like the rest of its genus, drop off in summer. 
Say introduced the species regularly into the scientific records 
of his country. The expedition under Major Long brought back 
a specimen now in the Philadelphia Museum, from which, though 
a female, and unusually light coloured, we have had our drawing 
made, on account of its having been procured in the American 
territory. The bird is never seen in any of the Atlantic states, 
though numerous in high northern latitudes. It is common near 
Severn river and Albany fort, inhabiting the uncultivated lands 
in the neighbourhood of the settlements, and particularly near 
the southern parts of Hudson’s bay, being often killed in winter 
near Fort York; but it does not extend its range to Churchill. 
Near Fort William on Lake Superior, the Sharp-tailed Grous is 
also found in spring, and we have seen specimens killed in winter 
at Cumberland House, and others at York Factory in summer. 
In collections it is very rare; and Temminck, when he wrote his 
history of gallinaceous birds, had never seen a specimen, nor did 
it exist at the time in any European museum. 
It is by the shape of the tail that this Grous is eminently 
distinguished from all others. The English name which we have, 
with Mr. Sabine, selected from Pennant, is much more applicable 
than that of Long-tailed, given by Edwards; for instead of being 
long, it is, except the middle feathers, remarkably short, cuneiform, 
and acute, more resembling that of some Ducks than of the 
