50 LIFE HISTORIES OF NOKTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



17. Dendragapus obscurus richardsonii (Sabine). 



RICHARDSON'.S GROi;SE. 



Tetrao ricliardsonii, "Sabine MS.," Douglas, Linn?ean Transactions, xvi, iii, 1829, 



Ul. 

 Dendragaims obscurus richardsonii RiDGWAY, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 



VIII, 1885, 355. 



(B — C 381a, R 471&, C 558, U 2<.)7b.) 



Geographical range : Northern Rocky Mountains, mainly on eastern slopes, 

 from southern Montana, northeastern Idaho, and eastern British Columbia, north into 

 British America (Liard River). 



This distinctly marked race of Dusky Grc^use inhabits the timbered 

 veg'ions alonf^ the eastern slopes of the Rocky ^lountains, from soutliern 

 Montana and contiguous parts of Idalu) northward, through the interior of 

 British North America, to about latitude 61°. It was in the latter vicinity 

 (Liard River) that Mr. J. Lockhart, of the Hudson Bay Company, obtained 

 the most northern specimens of this bird that are in the U. S. National 

 Museum collection. 



Like the preceding, it is a resident, and breeds wlierever found, and its 

 habits are similar to those of the Dusky Grouse. In northern Wyoming and 

 the eastern parts of central Idaho this Grouse intergrades with its more south- 

 ern relative, and in northeastern Idaho and western Montana it does the same 

 with tlie Sooty Grouse. It is a common enough bird in suitable localities 

 throughout the mountainous portions of Montana, especially in the Big Horn 

 Mountains and along the headwaters of the Musselshell River, where I i)er- 

 sonally met with them. Still, in some sections of this State, apparently quite 

 suited to tliese birds, where an abundance of good-sized pine timber is found, 

 they are entirely wanting. I have been unable to account for this fact, or 

 to ascertain a good reason therefor, as plenty of good water and an abun- 

 dance of food is to be found thereabouts. 



Mr. Robert S. Williams, of Great Falls, Montana, writes me: "On June 21, 

 1S85, while crossing over the almost bare summit of a small knoll in the foot- 

 hills of the Belt Mountains, I suddenly almost ran into a brood of young Rich- 

 ardson's Grouse, which had evidently been hatched out but a very short time. 

 The young, about ten in number, wave closely huddled together, the old bird 

 standing by their side, with head up, and eyes fairly blazing at the unexpected 

 intruder. I was almost within reach of them, but neither old or young made a 

 single motion or uttered a sound, while I stood watching them for several 

 moments; and I left them in the same position. 



"I have often met witli coveys a little older, but have never seen the 

 parent bird attempt to draw off the attention of any one by the feints so cun- 

 ningly carried out l:)y tlie Ruffed Grouse. These birds feed largely on grass- 

 hoppers when such are abundant." 



