COLUMBIAN SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.
308a. Pediœcetes phasianellus columbianus. 18 inches.
These have no pinnates or ruffs on the neck, but the head is a little more crested than that of the [Prairie Hen]. The tail has the central feathers nearly two inches longer than the others, which are also graduated so that the outside ones are much the shortest, and are lighter in color than the central ones. It is not barred like the former, but the black markings on the back and under parts are more in the form of crescents. It is also much lighter in general color.
Nest.—They are usually concealed in thickets or tufts of grass and contain from six to fourteen eggs of a drab color, finely dotted all over with dark brown (1.70 × 1.25).
Range.—Northwestern United States and British Columbia to central Alaska.