140 Mr. Dovuctas on some Species 
gray. Tail square, of 16 feathers, black, white at the 
points; upper and under coverts black tipped with white. 
Length 20 inches. Breadth 14 inches. Weight two pounds. 
Female a little smaller and of a lighter colour. Head, neck 
and body, leaden-gray, sparingly white, spotted on the 
belly. Flesh white, well-flavoured. 
In manner there is nothing striking in this bird. Its flight is 
similar to the last-mentioned: the present, however, runs over 
the shattered rocks and among the brushwood with amazing 
speed, and only uses its wings as the last effort of escape. Nest 
on the ground, composed of dead leaves and grass, not unfre- 
quently at the foot of decayed stumps, or by the side of fallen 
timber in the mountain woods. Eggs 5 to 7, dingy-white, 
somewhat smaller than that of Columba Palumbus. 
I have never heard the voice of this bird, except its alarm note, 
which is two or three hollow sounds, ending in a yearning dis- 
agreeable grating noise, like the latter part of the call of the 
well-known Numida Meleagris. It is one of the most common 
birds in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains, from latitude 
50? to 54°, near the sources of the Columbia river. It may 
perhaps be found to inhabit higher latitudes. Sparingly seen in 
small troops on the high mountains which form the base or 
platform of the snowy peaks “ Mount Hood,” “Mount St. 
Helens,” and ** Mount Baker,” siiunid: on the western. parts. of 
the continent. | 
In habit the present species assimilates more with T. Cana- 
densis than any other. The unusually long square tail, con- 
"m under. coverts rof pe: v are tides too = ea to 
be overlooked. - puberes. root aed 
Named 
E — 
antly tipped with white, as is also the case with the upper 
