of the black band bounding the face. The folded wings fall about three
inches and a half short of the tail, which is rounded, the outer
feathers being an inch shorter than the central ones. The plumage of the
sides of the belly is long, and hangs down over the thighs. The thigh
feathers are very downy, but are not long. The tarsi are rather long,
and the toes are moderately long; they are clothed to the roots of the
nails by a close coat of hairy feathers. The claws are strong, sharp,
and very much curved.

The length of the bird from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail
is 21 inches 6 lines; and the length of the longest quill feather is 12
inches six lines.

* * * * *


THE COCK OF THE PLAINS,

_Tetrao,[3] (Centrocercus,) Urophasianus,_

SWAINSON.


This bird, which was first mentioned by Lewis and Clark,[4] has since
become well known to the fur traders that frequent the banks of the
Colombia. Several specimens have been sent to England by the agents of
the Hudson's Bay Company. Mr. David Douglas has published the following
account of the manners of the species, the only one hitherto given.

[3] Or Grouse.