140 Mr. Douglas 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. 



1 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," situated 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- 

 stantly tipped with white, as is also the case with the upper 

 and under coverts of the tail, are characters too prominent to 

 be overlooked. 



Named 



