DUSKY GROUSE. 163 



but never assemble in flocks. Its range is south 

 through Oregon and California ; how far north of 

 Colville I had no means of finding out. 



The Dusky and Franklin's Grouse are con- 

 stant articles of daily food to us, being abundant 

 throughout this district. 



THE DUSKY GROUSE (Tetrao obscurus, Say 

 figured and described by Sir John Richardson, 

 ' F. B. A.') is found principally on the western side 

 of the Rocky Mountains. It arrives at Van- 

 couver Island, at Nesqually, and along the banks 

 of the Fraser river about the end of March and 

 beginning of April. The male bird, on its first 

 arrival, sits on the summit of a tall pine-tree, or 

 on a rock, announcing his arrival by a kind of 

 lovesong a sort of booming noise repeated at 

 short intervals, and so deceptive that I have often 

 stood under the tree where the bird was perched, 

 and imagined the sound some distance away. It 

 is extremely difficult to see this bird when you 

 know it is in the tree, so much does it resemble a 

 knob or the end of a dead branch. Soon after 

 their arrival they pair, but during the whole 

 nesting-time the male continues the booming 

 noise. The young are a good size in August, 

 but never afford much sport, as they pitch in the 

 trees immediately after being flushed. 



M 2 



