The nest contains usually from ten to twelve eggs, sometimes 

 as many as sixteen. It is placed on the ground, and only one 

 brood is hatched in a season. 



LUE or dusky grouse are from four to six inches longer than 

 the average ruffed grouse. The blue grouse weighs from 



to 3^ pounds; the weight of the ruffed grouse is 2 pounds 

 and often less. The range of the three ornithological forms 

 of the blue grouse (which from the sportsman's viewpoint may 



-* , - - -- , __ |^_ 





*i 



be considered as one species, since the appearance and habits 

 are much alike) is from Alaska to New Mexico and Arizona. 

 The Western form inhabits the coast range from California 

 and it occurs eastward to Nevada, western Idaho and thence 

 to northern Alaska. I have observed these birds when they 

 were abundant in the Rocky Mountains and so tame as to share 

 the name "fool hen." Like the other grouse, it is disappearing 

 so rapidly everywhere and has become extinct in so many 

 places that laws prohibiting grouse shooting at all times have 

 been deemed necessary. In many places the birds remaining 

 are wild enough for sport, and they lie well to the dog. 



The blue grouse are mountain as well as forest loving birds, 

 and they often wander from the spruce and fir forests above 

 the timber line in their search for berries and other food. In 



42 



