BIRDS — TETRAONIDAE — BONASA SABINII. 

 List of specimens. 



G31 



BONASA SABINII, Baird. 



Oregon Grouse. 



Teirao sabinii, Douglas, Trans. Linn. Soc. XVl, 1829, 137.— Rich. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 343. 



?Tetrao umbellus, Rich. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 342.— Newberry, Zool. Cal. & Or. Route, Rep. P. R. R. Surv. VI, 

 IV, 1857, 94. 

 Sp. Ch. — Similar to B. umbellus, but much darlser. Middle toe longer. Length, about 18 inches ; wing, 7.30 ; tail, G.70. 

 Hab. — Rocky mountains to Pacific coast of Oregon and Washington. 



The specimens of ruffed grouse from the Pacific coast differ very greatly in much darker 

 tints of coloration, although the pattern is apparently the same. There is no shade of grey 

 anywhere. The upper parts are dark orange chestnut, mottled with black, the cordate light 

 spots very distinct. The feathers of the breast are strongly tinged with reddish yellow ; those 

 of the sides marked with broad and conspicuous bars of black, instead of the obsolete brown. 

 The under tail coverts are orange chestnut, with indistinct bars of black, and an angular 

 terminal blotch of white. All the light brown blotches and edgings oj' the eastern variety are 

 here dark brown or black. The jugular band between the ruffles is very conspicuously black. 

 The greatest difference is seen in the middle toe, which is much longer than in umbellus, and 

 even without its claw, exceeding the tarsus, instead of being shorter. 



I am inclined to consider this as a good species of grouse, and distinct from B. umbellus, on 

 account of the difference in the length of the middle toes, although this elongation may some- 

 times be found in B. umbellus. When Eichardson found no difference between his T. umbellus 

 and the T, sabini of Douglas, it is not improbable, judging from the measurements, that he 

 had sabini before him instead of the other species. 



List of specimens. 



