THE CANADIAN OR SPRUCE GROUSE 



(Tetrao Canadensis}. 



THIS bird, which more closely resembles the red 

 grouse of Scotland than any other species of this 

 genus that I am acquainted with, is far from as well- 

 known by the white man as the Tetrao umbellus or 

 Tetrao cupido, for the reason that its haunts are in 

 the most inaccessible portions of the country, and 

 are usually unsuitable to the uses of either the pastoral 

 or agricultural farmer. 



On the spurs of the lofty ranges of mountains that 

 cross the western part of the State of Maine and New 

 Hampshire, where the pine, hemlock, and cedar 

 dispute possession of the landscape, and where the 

 whole country is dotted over with innumerable lakes 

 fed by countless rivulets and brooks, I first be- 

 came acquainted with this beauty of the feathered 

 creation, for assuredly it is a beauty, and anyone who 

 has seen it will heartily agree with me in this esti- 

 mate. 



Its capacities for enduring the rigours of an almost 

 Arctic winter are truly surprising. However, it 

 adopts one power of protection from the severe cold, 

 especially when it is accompanied by wind, namely, 

 burrowing in the snow. To see this operation per- 

 formed has a strong tendency to create astonishment, 

 if not almost disbelief, in the beholder's eyes ; at least, 

 it did so to me, and no wonder ; but I will explain. 

 The sportsman or traveller sees this bird perched upon 

 a tree ; with a swoop it descends to the snowy surface, 

 and instantly disappears, as if by magic. If the snow 



