LAND BIRDS. 223 



121. Spruce Partridge. Canachites canadensis canace (Linn.) (298c) 



Synonyms: Spruce Hen, Spruce Grouse, Canadian Spruce Grouse, Canada Grouse, 

 Spotted Grouse, Fool Hen. — Tetrao canace, Linn., 1766.- — Tetrao canadensis, of many 

 authors. — Canace canadensis, Reich., 185 L — Canace canadensis var. canadensis, B. B. & 

 R., 1875. 



The black chin and black tail tipped with buff are characteristic marks 

 of the adult male. The female is mottled black and white below, black 

 finely barred with buff above. 



Distribution. — Northern Minnesota and Michigan, northern New York, 

 northern New England, New Brunswick and the Canadian zone of southern 

 and eastern Canada. 



This was once a common bird throughout the pine regions of Michigan, 

 but even in those areas was restricted almost entirely to the spruce and cedar 

 swamps. It was formerly abundant throughout the Upper Peninsula 

 and in all the high lands about the sources of the Manistee, Muskegon, 

 and AuSable rivers, and is still found sparingly in these places. Just 

 how far southward it ever extended is difficult to say. There is a mounted 

 specimen in the collection of the Agricultural College, labeled "North 

 Michigan," but under the corresponding number in the museum catalogue 

 the entry reads: "Lansing, 1874." As the original name has been erased 

 and the name of the Spruce Partridge written over it, there is good reason 

 to suppose that the numbers on two specimens have been transposed. 

 Nevertheless, as the porcupine was formerly common about Lansing, and 

 the northern hare abundant in the same county, it is not impossible that 

 the Spruce Grouse also occurred. The most southern point in the state 

 at which it now occurs, so far as can be learned, is Roscommon county, 

 where a few may still be found in the deeper swamps. 



Captain Bendire states that "at times during the winter, it is partially 

 migratory; probably due more to lack of suitable food than to cold" (Life 

 Histories, I, p. 51). In most cases it breeds wherever it is found. In 1894, 

 Major Boies found a few on Neebish Island, and was told that it was 

 abundant on the mainland on both sides of the St. Mary's River (Bull. 

 Mich. Orn. Club, I, 1897, 20). Mr. O. B. Warren states that it was formerly 

 abundant in Marquette county, but in 1898 had become uncommon owing 

 to the changed conditions. He predicts its speedy extermination unless 

 better protected. In 1905, F. H. Chapin reported it as common in spruce 

 timber in Mackinac, Alger, and Luce counties, all in the Upper Peninsula, 

 and in Emmet county (Lower Peninsula) as well. Mr. Ed. Van Winkle 

 states that it was common in Delta county fifteen years ago but is now 

 growing rare, while Mr. Thomas B. Wyman, of Negaunee, says that in suit- 

 able places in Marquette, Alger and Luce counties it is still common (Dec. 

 1905) in spruce thickets, frequenting lower and moister lands than the 

 Ruffed Grouse. Mr. W. M. Wolfe reports seeing a single female near 

 Beulah, Benzie county, in the summer of 1906. 



■ The accounts of different observers vary widely as to the habits of the 

 bird. As a rule, it is said to be far from wary, in many cases almost stupidly 

 tame; but of late years it seems to have learned something from persecu- 

 tion, for some observers call it more timid than the Ruffed Grouse in the 

 same regions. 



It nests on the ground and lays from eight to fifteen huffy eggs, speckled 

 and spotted with deep brown, and averaging 1.71 by 1.22 inches. 



The flesh of the Spruce Partridge is said to be much inferior to that of 



