2 70 Seton on Manitoba// Birds. LJ u 'y 



is finished he proceeds, by the bounding-flight. to regain his 

 elevation and once more pour out his silvery strains. On the 

 14th of May I noted one of these birds singing with great devo- 

 tion. He had trilled his refrain at least twenty times, when it 

 occurred to me to time and count his songs. The whole of 

 each trilling occupied fifteen seconds, and after I began to count 

 he repeated it from beginning to end eighty-two times ; just as 

 he should have entered on the eighty-third, his wings closed, his 

 tail went up, and down he fell headlong, but my eyes were 

 blinded with the brightness, and my neck refused to take part in 

 further proceedings, so that I was not able to mark the bird for 

 closer examination. This singer had serenaded me for about an 

 hour, and I do not think he ranked above his fellows in staying 

 power. Several times after a Skylark had sung and returned 

 to earth, with the headlong descent described, I have deliberately 

 flushed him, and at once he rises without further preamble, 

 soberly remounts his imaginary five hundred-foot platform, and 

 again sings his trilling slurs from beginning to end. Thus on 

 one occasion I called the same bird three times before the cur- 

 tain, but on the fourth encore he would not respond ; each time 

 that he was disturbed, he would fly off some two hundred yards, 

 and again settle on the ground. Once, only, have I observed 

 this species singing his full song on the ground. 



The other habits and common notes of this species have a 

 considerable resemblance to those of the Titlark. It leaves the 

 Big Plain about the end of August. 



The finding of a new form of the Ruffijd Grouse within the 

 limits of territory tolerably explored is not an occurrence that 

 any student would have expected. Yet in the woods of Mani- 

 toba is a well-marked variety, which is known there as the Red- 

 or Copper-ruffed Partridge. In general appearance this bird differs 

 but little from the well known Bonasa umbellus mnbelloides* but 

 it is distinguished by being more decidedly marked, — thus the bars 

 on the belly are complete and nearly black, — and by having 

 copper-colored touches on the back, the subterminal tail-band and 

 the ruff a rich, iridescent, coppery red. 



Mr. Ridgway, commenting on a specimen sent him, says : 

 "This grouse is the handsomest bird of the species I have ever 

 seen : so far as general plumage is concerned it is decidedly refer- 

 able to B. u. titnbelloides. ... It is quite peculiar enough in 



