220 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



hen," and many are killed with sticks as they sit on the low branches. 

 Reported as common about Jasper House, on the Athabasca river, 

 in the summer of 1898, by Mr. W. Spreadborough. 



Breeding Notes. — This species seems to nest exactly like the 

 other grouse. One nest found at the base of a tree at Hector, 

 Rocky mountains, on July 29th, 1885, contained eight eggs. The 

 young were just emerging from the shell and would evidently leave 

 the nest at once, as indeed two of them attempted to do as we stood 

 by them. 



CXXX. BON ASA Stephens. 18 19. 

 300. Ruffed Grouse. "Partridge." 



Bonasaumbellus (Linn.) Steph. 18 19. 



From all I have observed, I think that we have in Ontario in- 

 dividuals of both Bonasa umhellus and Bonasa umbellus togata, that 

 these two intergrade and produce a mixed race which is found 

 throughout southern Ontario, buit cannot properly be classed with 

 either of the varieties. (Mcllwraith.) 



It is doubtful whether true umbellus is found in Canada, but 

 until more material has been collected and all the old collections 

 have been examined Mcllwraith's statement must stand. On the 

 other hand, further study may show that togata is not separable 

 from umhellus. 



300a. Canadian Ruffed Grouse. 



Bonasa umbellus togata (Linn.) Ridgw. 1885. 



Common from Missinabi river to Moose Factory, James bay. 

 None observed in Labrador in 1896. I think they go very little 

 further north in Labrador than the birch and poplar. {Spread- 

 borough.) Northeasterly from Lake Winnipeg to Oxford lake and 

 Trout river; recorded by Foster from Fort Albany and Severn 

 river and by Bell from York Factory. {Preble.) 



This is an abundant resident in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, 

 Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario. It seems to range 



