668 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS, 



This dark species of Grous inhabits the cold regions 

 of Hudson's Bay throughout the whole year, where it 

 frequents the bushy plains. To the south of this country, 

 it appears to seek out the alpine elevations, being met 

 with in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and 

 throughout a great portion of the northern Andes, to- 

 wards the sources of the Missouri and Oregon. In win- 

 ter it visits Canada, the interior of Maine, Michigan, 

 sometimes the state of New York : and it even breeds 

 around Halifax in Nova Scotia. In Canada it is known 

 by the name of the Wood Partridge ; by others it is called 

 the Cedar or Spruce Partridge. Sometimes they are 

 sent in a frozen state from Nova Scotia and New Bruns- 

 wick to Boston. 



The favorite resort of this species is in pine and spruce 

 woods, and cedar swamps, which they frequent in the 

 winter for the purpose of feeding on the buds, oily seeds, 

 and evergreen foliage, to which they also add juniper 

 berries. Their flesh, though palatable at all times, is 

 considered best in summer, when they feed much on ber- 

 ries ; as the buds of the resinous evergreens communi- 

 cate an unpleasant flavor to the game. As usual, they 

 nest on the ground with little art, in the slight shelter of 

 fallen leaves and bushes, and are said by Pennant to lay 

 but 5 eggs, which are varied with white, yellow, and 

 black. They are readily approached, and sometimes so 

 unsuspicious, as, like the Ptarmigan, to allow of being 

 knocked down with a stick ; and, round Hudson's Bay, 

 are commonly caught by the aborigines in a simple noose 

 fastened to a stake. When much disturbed, however, 

 they betake themselves to trees, where they are readily 

 approached and shot down. 



The Spotted Grous is only 15 inches in length, and weighs about 

 23 ounces. The general color is black and grey, mingled in trans- 



