DUSKY GROUSE 

 297. Dendragapus obscurus. 20 in. 



Plumage gray, white and black, with a few rusty 

 markings on the back; wide gray band on tip of tail. 

 Female smaller, browner and more barred above. These 

 large grouse are found on side hills or in gulches, usu- 

 ally not far from water. Like our common Ruffed 

 Grouse, during mating season, the males of this species 

 strut about with tail fully spread over the back, and 

 head thrown back until it nearly touches the tail. At 

 this season they are very pugnacious and the woods will 

 resound with their challenging " toots," loud and hol- 

 low sounds with a ventriloquial effect. 



Nest. Eggs laid on ground in woods, usually under 

 fallen logs or at the bases of trees; buffy, sparsely 

 spotted with brown. (2.00x1.40) ; May, June. 



Range. Rocky Mts., from Mexico to Montana and 

 east to South Dakota. 297b., Richardson Grouse ( D. o. 

 richardsonii) , is found on the eastern slopes of the 

 Rockies, north to British America. Little or no band 

 on the tail. 



