678 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS — GALLINJE — ALE CTOBOP ODES. 



of 16-20 feathers. Sides of the neck frequently with lengthened or otherwise modified feathers, 

 or a bare distensible skin, or both. 



The true Grouse are confined to the northern hemisphere, and reach their highest develop- 

 ment, as a group, in North America, where singularly varied forms occur. The only Old World 

 species are — the great Tetrao urogallus, or Capercaillie of Europe, and its allied Asiatic species; 

 Lyrurus tetrix, the "black game" of Europe, with curiously curled tail-feathers; Canace 

 falcijjennis of Siberia, the representative of our Spruce Partridge ; Bonasa hetulina of Northeni 

 Europe and Asia, like our Ruifed Grouse ; and two or three species of Ptarmigan (Lagopus). 



All the species of this subfamily used to be refen-ed to a single genus Tetrao — the only 

 generic name familiar to sportsmen and others who make no technical study of birds. But such 

 must not be surprised to find me discarding this well-known name, and adopting several different 

 ones as generic designations of our Grouse, which differ much among themselves, in points of 

 form and structure, and are all widely diverse from Tetrao urogallus of Europe, type of the 

 genus. 



Analysis of iV. Am. Genera of Tetraonince. 



Tail stiflf, pointed, wedge-shaped, equalling or exceeding the wings, of 20 feathers; scaly and hair-like 



feathers on breast. Tarsi lull-feathered. Very large Centrocercus 205 



Tail stiff, pointed, wedge-shaped, much shorter than wings, of 18 feathers ; no obviously peculiar feathers 



on neck. Tarsi full-feathered Peclicecetes 206 



Tail stiflish, roiuided, much shorter than wing, of 18 feathers ; wing-like tufts and great bare space on 



neck. Tarsi scant-feathered Cupidonia 207 



Tail soft, rounded, about as long as wing, of 18 feathers ; umbrella-like tufts on neck, but no obvious 



bare space. Tarsi bare below Bonasa 208 



Tail stiffish, flat, square, shorter than wing, of 16 or 20 feathers ; no evidently peculiar feathers or obviously 



bare space on neck. Tarsi full-feathered Canace 204 



Tail, etc., as in QxTiace. Tarsi and toes fully feathered. White in winter Lagopus 209 



204. CA'NACE. (Lat. Canace, a proper name.) Tree Grouse. Black Grouse. No obvi- 

 ously lengthened or otherwise peculiar feathers on neck or head. No obviously naked space on 

 neck : but there is a piece of skin capable of distension, especially in the Western species of 

 Bendragapus. A strip of bare colored skin over eye. No crest. Tarsi feathered to the toes. 

 Tail little shorter than wing, stiffish, nearly square, of broad, obtuse feathers, normally 16 (in 

 Canace proper) or 20 (in Bendragapus) in number. Of medium and large size, and dark 

 blended colors, inhabiting woodland, like the species of Bonasa, and quite arboreal ; northerly 

 and alpine. Sexes distinguishable. Eggs heavily-colored. 



Analysis of Subgenera, Species, and Varieties. 

 Tail normally of 16 feathers (exceptionally of 14 or 18, as an individual pecuUarity). { Canace proper. ) 



Tail with broad orange-hrown end, its upper coverts without white spots. Eastern . . canadensis 556 



Tail without orange-brown end, its upper coverts with white spots. Western franldini 556 



Tail normally of 20 feathers (exceptionally 18 or 22 ?). (Dendragapus.) Western. 

 Tail black, with broad slate-colored end. 



Under parts clear bluish slate color. Rocky Mts., etc., southerly obscura 557 



Under parts sooty plumbeous. Alaska fidiginosa 559 



Tail black, with narrow or no slate-colored end. Rocky Mts., etc., northerly richardsoni 558 



555. C. canaden'sis. (Of Canada. Fig. 397.) Canada Grouse. Spotted Grouse. Spruce 

 Grouse. Spruce " Partridge." Adult cock: Head smooth, but feathers susceptible of erec- 

 tion into a slight crest. A colored comb of naked skin over the eye, bright yellow or reddish 

 when fuUy injected. Tail slightly rounded, of 16 feathers, a scant inch broad to their very ends. 

 Tarsi fuD-feathered to the toes, which are naked, scaly, and fringed. Tail black, broadly tipped 

 with orange-bnnvu ; its upper coverts without decidedly white tips. Under parts glossy black, 

 extensively varied with white ; under tail-coverts tipped with white ; sides and breast with 

 white bars or semicircles ; white spots bounding the throat ; white spots on lore. Upper -parts 

 ^vavy — barred with black and gray, usually also with some tawny markings on the back and 

 \vings. In full feather, the appearance is of a black bird, grayer above, spotty with white 



