23tl BONASA VMBELLUS. 



In 1858, Prof. Biiird gives tliese birds as occurring in much the same places, but adds 

 that they are found on the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. Mr Lawrence included them 

 in his list of the birds of Long Island in 18G6. Nuttall says that they were found in West- 

 ford, Connecticut, in 1832, and ten years later, Liusley said that they were not to be found 

 in the State. There has not been a wihl specimen in Maine for many years and asiih' from 

 a few which are, perliaps, to lie found on Martha's Vineyard, there are now none in Mass- 

 achusetts, for I do not think that there are any on the Island of Naushon; it will also be 

 safe to say that there are none on Long. Island. Dr. TurnliuU, in his list of the birds of 

 East Pennsylvania and New Jersey, written in 1869, states that within a year or two, they 

 have been taken on the .Jersey Plains, but none are there now. lie also says, "A few are 

 ■^tdl inel willi in Mitiu'oe and X(irtliaiu[p!on tJenuties, Pennsylvania, where I have shot the 

 species." Thus it will be seen, if any remain in the latter named section now, which is 

 not improbable, it is the only locality, aside from Martha's Vineyard, where the species is 

 found at any distanci^ easi of tlie Mississippi, for they have disappeared from the intervrn- 

 ing sedions. 



I know but little, from actual observation, of the habits of these interesting birds, for 

 the only specimens that I ever saw living, were three or four that I purch;ised in the Boston 

 Market some years ago. These were exceedingly wild and although I gave them the best 

 of care, lived but two or three months. 



Since the above was put in ty[ie, I learn from my friend, Mr. Punlie, that he has 

 ascertained through reliable sources that there is still quite a little colony of these Grouse 

 living on M;:rtha's Vineyard, but that, in spite of the very stringent laws, enacted by our 

 Legislature, fVir their protection, some are shot every year. This is certainly de[dorable, 

 and the ornithologists of the State ought to make some effort to sa\e these fine birds from 

 the total extermination which will ultimately be their fate unless the law is very strictly 

 enforced. 



(!KNUS IV. JM)NASA. THE BRUSH (iliOLSrO. 



Gen'. Oh. Poslcrior maryin uf sternum, bvtuKni indentations, quite narrow anil rouruhii. Tip o//ice!, not jirojectcfl 

 forward as far as the depth of the inner indentations. Costal process, loidened and rounded at point. Tarsus, not fully 

 feathered. Neck feathers, elongated. 



Members of this genas inhaliit wooded or hrusliy c;)uniry, asually preferring t!ie hitter. The tail is long hut the wings 

 are short. Head, crested. Tlie sterno-traehealis is large liut there are no other laryngeal muscles. Tympanilurm meni- 

 brano, present, but ^hort. Tliere is but one species within our limit.';. 



BONASA UMBELLUS. 

 Kuffed Grouse. 



Bonasa undicllus Stepii., Shaw's, Gen. Zixil., X[; 18'J4, 300. 



DBSCEIPTION. 



Si'. Cli. Fiiriii, robust. Size, ijuite large. Sternum, nut stout and the terminal expansion of scapula i- ;iut large 

 and is extended bacl<war(l. There is a tuft of broad, abruptly truncated feathers on sides of neck beneaih wiiieli is a na- 

 ked sjiaee, Ton';ue, trian,.^ular in form, fieshy, and pointed. Coeca, 2000 1 ng, unall at bas:\ measuring about '10 in di- 

 ameter, then graAurlly enlarging toahout '30 :n diameter, then tapering to the blind end, the tcrmin;'.tion of which is point- 

 ed. They are b:' ,v.-.-.i-h in color, with ten Imgitudinal lines of a lighter shade. Number ■ f t:iil feathers, eighteen. Se.v 

 es, not ■similar. 



