■8Ss-] Seton oil Manitoban Birds 



271 



plumage to represent a distinct local race, provided the differ- 

 ences are reasonably constant." 



And later, the same authority writes, "I do not think that a 

 new race can he characterized, the 'copper-ruffed' birds forming 

 a sort of connecting link between umbellus and umbettoides"- 



To this I reply, first, that we have in Manitoba a Bonasa 

 which, in its entirely rufous tail and general color, is very 

 closely allied to B. umbellus, if, indeed, it is not absolutely that 

 form. Second, we have the well-known umbelloidcs. Third, 

 there are all grades between these two. Fourth, the form with 

 the copper ruff. And all of these are found in the same woods, 

 sometimes in the same pack. The relative proportion of eacli 

 is, perhaps: umbellus 10 per cent; umbelloidcs, 20 per cent; 

 grades between these, 60 per cent; copper-ruffs, 10 per cent. 

 So far I have not seen any indications of intergradation in color 

 between the last-named and the other forms. 



Mr. C. W. Nash, an accomplished naturalist and spoilsman, 

 now residing at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, writing me on the 

 subject, strongly objects to the form being considered only a 

 chance variation, as it is the most stable of those found in the 

 country. He asserts that 10 per cent is too small a proportion, 

 and adds that the most brilliant ruffs he ever saw belonged to a 

 bird which had the purest gray tail of any he had shot, and 

 which was also the largest bird he killed last season. 



Dr. Brodie informs me that many years ago this variety was 

 of frequent occurrence in the country north of Toronto. The 

 settlers recognized it as, in a measure, distinct from the com- 

 mon Partridge, and superior to it in size and beauty. 



If this form can be shown to be geographical I shall claim for 

 it the rank of a variety, but with my present information can but 

 think with Mr. Ridgway that not only this, but perhaps all of our 

 Canadian Bonasce, are more or less referable to the form umbel- 

 loides. The brilliant coloration of the Grouse may prove analo- 

 gous to the remarkable variations exhibited by several of our 

 Hawks and Owls. 



