mi
!■ r i i
Ol’l’IDONLV CUPIDO.
to the prairie toward evening to roost. It is very difficult to approacii tlicin when among tlic c
pn.s.«ing between tivc stalks, tbat the birds become
after tliem in these unfavorable localities, and considered i
•ml take
myself fortuini
In winter the Prairie Chickens perch upon the fences, and early in
plctcly hidden by the multitude of Grouse which have scttlcii on them,
perches to seek their food.
This species is capable of going for n coiisiderablc tliuo without water, the districts they inhabit being generally ilry : and they ave
accustomed to quench tlieir tliiret by picking off the ilroixs of rain or dew that glisten upon tho leaves and grns.s.
Then- flesh, when yonng, is white, but in the adult quite dark ; and is generally nmcli esteemed ns im article of food,
Unlike the Ruffed Grouse, which is of an uutnmablc disposition, the Prairie Hen is easily domesticated, ami will In-eed in conliiicmciit.
When this species takes flight, it is with mueh less wliirring of the wings than is cliaractcristie of other mcmbci-a of this Ihmily, nnd
frequently, on rising, they iittcr a few distinct clucks.
The two sexes resemble each other closely in tlicir plumage, the principal difference being that the male poi
tufts of lengthened feathere iii>on the sides of the neck, They may be described ns follows;
General color of the upper parts brown, transvcreely barred with blackisli bi-own ; wings lighter brown; in-iiiiaries grayish lirown, with
spots of reddish yellow on the outer webs. Tail-feathers purplish brown, the two middle ones lighter mid mottled with brownish.hlack.
Loral space and throat light buff. The long fcathei-s of the neck ai-o yellowish red, dark brown on tho outer webs, Under parts white,
marked with broad curved bands iirrmigcd in regular series, of a grayish brown; umlcr-lail coverts white, cro.sscd with brown and iiiargmed
witii black, Membrane over the eye, and gnlar sack, orange yellow, Bill dusky; feet yellow. Fcatiiers of the legs gray,
banded with yeliowisli brown.
The plate re[nesciits a male in the act of looting to i
The figures are all life-size.
s a iicrsoii makes so much noise
flight often unobserved, Many mi hour linve I pimsed, toiling
if live or six binls were the result of the lumt,
le morning the topmast rails for a long distance aro often eom-
As soon as the siiii is two or three hours high, they leave tlieir
■s tlio gnlar sacks, and
female surrounded hy her brood.
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