GROUSE . 267 



249. RUFFED GROUSE. 



Larger, 18; tail long and. when spread, 

 fan-like; reddish brown above banded and 

 mottled with darker; white below marked 

 with brown especially on breast; tail with 

 subterminal band of black, fig. 209. Female, 

 duller with a smaller tail. Downy young, 

 reddish buff lined, mottled, and spotted with 

 brown, fig. 210; can fly when about a week 

 old. Eastern U. S. south along the moun- 

 tains to northern Ga. Frequents bushy 

 woodlands. Note, a whistling chuckle when 

 alarmed. Drums in spring, summer and 

 autumn; this begins loud and distinct, in- 

 creases in rapidity, but diminishes in volume 

 until it dies away. 

 250. CANADIAN RUFFED GROUSE. 



Differs from last in being grayer, espe- 

 cially on tail. Spruce forests of northern 

 N. E., northern N. Y., north to James Bay. 

 251. THAYER RUFFED GROUSE. 



Differs from last in being darker above 

 and in having the under parts more heavily 



