TETRAONID^ — THE GROUSE. 435 



Habits. The Arctic form of the Sharp-tailed Grouse is fouud throughout 

 the Arctic regions, from Alaska southward and eastward to an extent not 

 fully ascertained. Mr. Dall states that this variety is not uncommon at 

 Fort Yukon, where Mr. Lockhart found it breeding and obtained its eggs. 

 It has also been seen some two hundred miles down the river, but it is said 

 not to be found below the caiion known as the Ramparts. Captain Ketch- 

 um, in his adventurous winter trip from Nulato to Fort Yukon, is said to 

 have killed several of these birds. Specimens are in the Smithsonian 

 Museum from Moose Factory and elsewhere along the southern part of 

 Hudson's Bay, and it is said to be abundant about Nipigon Lake, north of 

 Lake Superior. 



J\Ir. Kennicott found the nest of this bird at Fort Yukon, at the foot of 

 a clump of dwarf willows. It was in dry ground, and in a region in which 

 these willows abounded and were quite thickly interspersed with other trees, 

 especially small spruces, but no large growth. The nest is said to have been 

 similar to that of Cupidonia ciipido. Mr. Lockhart also fouud it breeding 

 in the same region. The nests seen by him were likewise built on a rising 

 ground under a few small willows. 



Eichardson assigns as the northern limit of this species the region of the 

 Great Slave Lake, latitude 61°, and as its most southern point latitude 41°. 

 It was found in abundance on the outskirts of the Saskatcliewan plains and 

 througliout the wooded districts of the fur countries, frequenting the open 

 glades or low thickets on the borders of lakes, especially where the forests 

 have been partially cleared ; percliing on trees in the winter, but keeping to 

 the ground in the summer ; and, at all seasons, met with in small flocks of 

 from ten to sixteen. They are said, early in spring, to select some level 

 place, where a covey meets every morning and runs round in a circle of about 

 twenty feet in diameter, so that the grass is worn quite bare. If any one ap- 

 proaches this circle, the birds squat close to the ground ; but if not alarmed 

 by a too near approach, tliey soon stretch out their necks to survey the in- 

 truder, and resume their circular course, sonie running to the right and others 

 to tlie left, meeting and crossing each other. These " partridge-dances " are 

 said to last a month or more, or until the female begins to incubate. This 

 Grouse rises from tlie ground with the usual wliirring noise, and alights again 

 at a distance of a few hundred yards, sometimes on the ground or on the 

 branches of a tree. In winter they hide in the snow, and make their way 

 with ease through the loose drifts, feeding on the buds of the willows, 

 larches, aspens, etc. In summer and autumn their food is principally ber- 

 ries. They are said to lay about thirteen eggs early in June ; the nest being 

 on the ground, formed of grasses lined with feathers. 



The eggs of this variety closely resemble those of the columhianus, but are 

 generally of a decidedly darker ground. They average 1.75 inches in lengtli 

 by 1.28 in breadth. Their ground is a dark tawny-brown minutely dotted 

 with darker spots of brown. 



