CANADA GROUSE, SPRUCE PARTRIDGE 129 
Thus there seems to be a wide individual variation 
in the practice of this nuptial performance. 
The number of eggs laid by the Canada grouse varies 
from nine to thirteen, though rarely two or three more 
may be found ina nest. The ground color of the eggs is 
buff, and they are irregularly spotted and blotched with 
reddish brown, which sometimes is very dark. Speci- 
mens are rarely seen with few or no markings. 
A number of years ago, Mr. Watson L. Bishop, of 
Kentville, Nova Scotia, was successful in domesticat- 
ing some Canada grouse, and he contributed to Forest 
and Stream many interesting observations on the hab- 
its of these birds in confinement. He says: “As the 
nesting season approaches I prepare suitable places for 
them by placing spruce boughs in such a way as to 
form cozy little shelters, where the birds will be pretty 
well concealed from view. I then gather up some old 
dry leaves and grass and scatter it about on the ground, 
near where I have prepared a place for the nest. The 
bird pays no attention to this until she wants to lay. 
She will then select one of these places, and after 
scratching a deep cup-shaped place in the ground, de- 
posit in it her eggs. When the hen is on the nest she 
is continually making a kind of cooing sound, which 
I have never heard them make on any other occasion. 
If there should be sufficient material within easy reach 
of the nest, the bird will sometimes cover the eggs up, 
but not in all cases. 
“No nesting material is taken to the nest until after 
three or four eggs are laid. After this number has 
