TETRAO OBSCURUS, DUSKY GROUSE. 397 



larger spots, though scarcely to such bold splashes as are frequently 

 seeu in the eggs of canadensis. The rauge of variation is like that seen 

 in Pedioecetes, but is pushed to wider limits. 



A set of eight eggs of var. richardsoni taken by Mr. Trook, June 23, 

 18G0, on Clarke's Fork at the headwaters of the Missouri, are notably 

 smaller than any examples of true obscurus eggs which have come under 

 our notice, measuring only about 1.75 by 1.25 ; they are also paler and 

 more minutely and sparsely dotted. It is not probable, however, that 

 these distinctions would hold through a large series. The nest which 

 contained these eggs w^as built on the ground, beneath a wild-cherry 

 bush. 



For an account of the habits of this large and very presentable game 

 bird T must refer to other authors, having never yet seen it alive. Uur 

 principal authorities are Drs. Cooper and Suckley, who, apparently, en- 

 joyed excellent opportunities of observation. The last named writes as 

 follows in the work above cited : 



"This bird, called generally in Oregon the Blue Grouse, and also 

 known as the Pine Grouse, Dusky Grouse, &c., I met, for the first time, 

 when our exploring party reached the main chain of the Eocky j\Iount- 

 ains, where we found it exceedingly abundant, but not more so than in 

 the Blue Mountains of Oregon, the Cascade Mountains, and in all the tim- 

 bered country between the last-mentioned range and the Pacific coast. 

 In the autumn, about November 15, they generally disappear, and it is 

 rare, indeed, to see a single individual of the species during the interval 

 between that period and about March 20 of the following year. Con- 

 cerning the whereabouts of this bird during winter, there are many 

 opinions among the settlers. Some maintain that the species is migra- 

 tory, and that they retire to the South, while others say that they repair 

 to the tops of the highest evergreen trees, where, in the thickest foliage 

 of the branches, they pass the cold season in a state of semi-torpor, 

 rarely or never descending until warm weather comes on. As they sub- 

 sist well on the leaves of the conifer?e, and can always obtain sufficient 

 water from the snow and rain-drops on the leaves to supply their neces- 

 sities, I have but little doubt that this latter is the correct account, or 

 that, if migratory, they are but partially so. 1 saw one bird of this 

 species on the ground during a fall of snow in January, 1854, near the 

 Nisqually River, Washington Territory ; and 1 have been told that a man, 

 near Olympia, whose eye-sight is excellent, is able any day during winter 

 to obtain several birds by searching carefully for them in the tops of the 

 tallest and most thickly-leaved firs. This requires eye-sight of much 

 greater power than most men possess. Even in the summer, when these 

 birds are generally lower in the trees, it is very difficult to find them 

 among the dense branches. They have, in addition to their sombre hues, 

 the advantiige of their habit of crowding very closely to the limbs, and 

 of sitting almost immovably for hours. 



"The first indication in the spring of their arrival ■? or activity? is 

 the courting-call of the maU^ This is a prolonged noise, sounding much 

 like the wfiirr of a rattan-cane whirli'd rapidly through the air. It is 

 repeated quickly several times, and then stoi)s abruptly for a brief inter- 

 val. This noise is said to be ])ro(luced by infiating and contracting a 

 sac on each side of the throat, wliicli is for the most part concealed when 

 collapsed, and is covered with an orange-yellow, thick, corrugated, un- 

 feathered skin. These birds, at Fort Steilacoom, are very abundant 

 throughout the spring and early summer. They are there mostly con- 

 fined to the forests of lir-tret's '{Ahics doi{gl((.siij. Lat(^ in the season, 

 after hatching, they may be found generally at midday on the ground 



