148 PRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting. 



FEANKLIN'S GROUSE. 



Canace canadensis, Var. franklini. — Duglass 



§AEITS. — Prom the Rock}- Mountains to the Pacific, 

 and from Oregon to high northern latitudes, this 

 *^^ variety replaces the common Spruce Partridge of the 



f^ Eastern Continent. Sir John Richardson, as well 

 as Mr. Drummond, regarded these birds as only a western 

 variety of the canadensis. The latter, who had ample op- 

 portunities for studying the manners of both, was unable 

 to perceive any difference between them. Mr. Douglas 

 took a different view, though he admitted that their habits 

 were essentially the same. Swainson also regarded the 

 two birds as a distinct species. This variety is stated by 

 Richardson to inhabit the valleys of the Rocky Mountains, 

 from the sources of the Missouri to those of the Mackenzie; 

 and on the authority of Mr. Douglas, it is also to be seen 

 sparingly on the elevated platforms that skirt the snowy 

 peaks of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and of Mount 

 Baker, where it is said to run over the shattered rocks 

 and among the brush-wood with amazing speed, only 

 using its wings as a last effort to escape. Mr. Douglas also 

 states that it makes its nest on the ground, of dried leaves 

 and grass, not unfrequently at the foot of decayed stumps, 

 or by the side of fallen timber in the mountain woods. 

 The eggs are incorrectly described as of a dingy white- 

 ness, and as smaller than those of the European Columha 

 palumhns. 



Dr. Suckley found this Grouse abundant in the Rocky 

 as well as in the Bitterroot and the Cascade Mountains, 

 and in Washington Territory, near the Yakima Passes. 

 Tt is known to the Indians as the Tyee-kulla-kuUa, meaning 

 the gentleman-bird. It was only found plentiful in the 



