Vv PHASIANIDAE 233 
duced into the West Indies and the Old World, though unsuc- 
cessfully in the latter; Lophortyx californicus into Europe, the 
Sandwich Islands, and New Zealand, in the last two of which it 
is firmly established. In America, moreover, some species seem to 
have lately extended their range. Hybrids are occasionally found. 
Sub-fam. 5. Tetraoninae—Bonasa umbellus, the Ruffed Grouse, 
which inhabits the greater part of North America, is remarkable 
for the frills of black or chestnut feathers surmounting a bare space 
on the sides of the neck, and for the partially naked metatarsi. Both 
sexes are rufous or greyish above, with buff and black markings, 
a short blackish crest, and a black subterminal tail-bar ; the under 
parts being buff, relieved by brown and white. Great variation, 
however, is shown, and sub-species may be easily differentiated. 
When undisturbed, the “ Pheasant” or “ Partridge,” as it is vari- 
ously called by local sportsmen, is tame, and prefers undulating 
wooded country in the neighbourhood of cultivation, though it is 
also found in proximity to the hills. The habits resemble those 
of the following species, but the food is somewhat more varied, 
and includes beech-nuts, chestnuts, and acorns. In spring the 
cock often struts upon some log, and drums after the manner of 
other American grouse; but the habit is not confined to that 
season, nor is the sound produced by inflated neck-sacs, but by 
the wings. The absence of the hens, moreover, suggests that the 
performance is not amatory. From eight to fourteen or more 
eggs are laid, of a whitish or buff colour, with or without round 
reddish spots. £&. sylvestris, the Hazel Grouse—the Gelinotte of 
the French—is a smaller and darker bird, with white markings 
on the wings, and a black throat surrounded by a white line, 
which reaches to the forehead. There is no ruff, and the female 
differs from the male in her whitish throat. It inhabits hill- 
forests in Europe and Asia up to three thousand feet, extending 
southward to Northern Spain, North Italy, Transylvania, China, 
and Japan, but not occurring in Britain. The food consists of 
shoots and buds of birch and hazel, seeds, berries, and other fruit, 
worms, insects, and their larvae. The flight is noisy, but not 
protracted, the birds resorting to trees and squatting on the 
branches. The usual note is a melancholy whistle, followed by 
a chirping sound. The slight nest contains from six to fifteen 
yellowish eggs, spotted with a little rufous, which are deposited 
early in spring, as is commonly the case in the Family. &. 
