402 



GAME BIRDS. 



he can slip out of the far side of a pine-tree without being observed. The greater 

 part of his time is spent among the branches of these trees, the needles forming a 

 considerable portion of his food, and giving the flesh a strong flavour of turpentine. 



This group contains only two representatives, namely, the 

 American Grouse. _. J , . . . . _ J ' 



Canadian grouse or spruce-partridge (Canachites canaden-sis) or 





HYBRID BETWEEN BLACKCOCK AND CAPERCAILLIE ( nat. size). 



Canada and the Northern States to the east of the Rocky Mountains, and its near 

 ally, Franklin's grouse (C. franklini), inhabiting the coast-ranges to the west of 

 the same chain. Both are about the size of a partridge, and have sixteen tail- 

 feathers ; the cocks pair with only one female, probably often retaining the 

 same mate for more than one season. The male Canadian grouse has the upper- 

 parts mostly grey shading into sandy or rufous white on the wings, and barred 



