SHARP-TAILED GROUS. 
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Pheasant. By the elongated feathers, but in no other particular, 
this species approaches the African genus Pterocles. At Hudson’s 
bay it is called Pheasant, a name which though inappropriate, 
seems at least better applied to this than the Ruffed Grous. 
The original writers that have mentioned this Grous are, 
Edwards, who first introduced it, and has figured the female from 
a badly stuffed specimen, being however the only figure before 
ours; Pennant; Hearne, who has given the most information 
concerning its habits derived from personal observation; and 
Forster, who has described it with accuracy. Linne at first 
adopted it from Edwards, but afterwards most unaccountably 
changed his mind, and considered it as a female of the European 
Cock of the Woods. It was restored by Latham and others to 
its proper rank in the scale of beings. 
The Sharp-tailed Grous is remarkably shy, living solitary, or 
by pairs, during summer, and not associating in packs till autumn; 
remaining thus throughout the winter. Whilst the Ruffed Grous 
is never found but in woods, and the Pinnated Grous only in 
plains, the present frequents either indifferently. They however, 
of choice, inhabit what are called the juniper plains, keeping 
among the small juniper bushes, the buds constituting their 
principal food. They are usually seen on the ground, but when 
disturbed fly to the highest trees. Their food in summer is 
composed of berries, the various sorts of which they eagerly 
seek: in winter they are confined to the buds and tops of ever¬ 
greens, or of birch and alder, but especially poplar, of which they 
are very fond. They are more easily approached in autumn than 
when they inhabit large forests, as they then keep alighting on 
the tops of the tallest poplars, beyond the reach of an ordinary 
gun. When disturbed in that position they are apt to hide 
themselves in the snow; but Hearne informs us that the hunter’s 
chance is not the better for that, for so rapidly do they make 
