420 XORTII AMERICAN BIRDS. 



stilted by Kic'luirdsou to inhabit the valleys oi' the liocky ilountains, from 

 the sources of the IMissouri to those of the Mackeuzie ; and on the authority 

 of Mr. Uouglas, it is also to be seen sparingly on the elevated platforms 

 that skirt the snowy peaks of Mount Hood, I\Iount St. Helens, and of Mount 

 Baker, where it is said to run over the shattered rocks and among the brusli- 

 wood with amazing speed, only using its wings as a last effort to escape. 

 Mr. iJouglas also states that it makes its nest on the ground, of dried leaves 

 and grass, not unfi-e(]uently at the foot of decayed stumps, or by the side of 

 fallen timlier in the mountain woods. The eggs are incorrectly described as 

 of a dingy whiteness and as smaller than those of the European Columha 

 palumbus. 



Dr. Suckley found this Grouse abundant in the Eocky as well as in the 

 Bitterroot and the Cascade jMountains, and in Washington Territory, near 

 the Yakima Passes. It is known to the Indians as the Tijec-kulla-kvlla, 

 meaning the gentleman-bird. It was only found plentiful in the eastern 

 portion of Washington Territory. Specimens of this species, sent by Dr. 

 Suckley to the Smithsonian Institution, were procured by Mullan in St. 

 Mary's Valley, in the Eocky ilountains. They were quite common in that 

 region, and were readily obtainable, as they were very tame and uoisuspicious. 

 Mr. George Gibbs informed Dr. Suckley that in Jiovember, 1847, he obtained 

 in the AVillamette Valley a small Grouse that may probably he referred to 

 this species. 



Mr. Lord thinks that this species is rarely found west of the Cascades ; but 

 on the eastern side and along the whole district lying between the Cascades 

 and the Eocky Mountains it is common, always keeping among the moun- 

 tains, to the height of seven thousand feet. He regards them as one of the 

 most stupid of birds. When several are flushed together, they fly up into 

 the nearest pine-tree, from which you cannot frighten them with sticks and 

 stones. He has often shot several in a tree where there were others without 

 the latter attempting to fly away. During the winter they remain in the 

 deep woods and sheltered places, and feed on the buds of the pines. They 

 nest in early jMay, and have chickens in June and July. He was of the 

 opinion that these birds do not pair ; but from the large number of females, 

 as compared with the males, he thinks the}- are polygamists. 



Captain Blakiston considers this variety to be confined to the Rocky 

 Mountains and the country between that range and the Pacific. He met 

 with it for the first time while following an Indian trail through a thick pine 

 woods, from the summit of the Kootenay Pass into the valley of the Flathead 

 Eiver. The bird arose and perched itself on a projecting branch, when he 

 was at once struck with the dissimilarity to the Canada Grouse, which was 

 made still more apparent by the whiteness of its flesh. Afterwards he 

 procured other specimens. He describes them as being quite as unsuspicious 

 and stupid as the Canada Grouse, allowing themselves to be shot on the 

 trees without making an}- attempt to escape. 



