CANADA GROUSE, SPRUCE PARTRIDGE I2Q 



Thus there seems to be a wide individual variation 

 in the practice of this nuptial performance. 



The number of eggs laid by the Canada grouse varies 

 from nine to thirteen, though rarely two or three more 

 may be found in a nest. The ground color of the eggs is 

 buff, and they are irregularly spotted and blotched with 

 reddish brown, which sometimes is very dark. Speci- 

 mens are rarely seen with few or no markings. 



A number of years ago, Mr. Watson L. Bishop, of 

 Kentville, Nova Scotia, was successful in domesticat- 

 ing some Canada grouse, and he contributed to Forest 

 and Stream many interesting observations on the hab- 

 its of these birds in confinement. He says : "As the 

 nesting season approaches I prepare suitable places for 

 them by placing spruce boughs in such a way as to 

 form cozy little shelters, where the birds will be pretty 

 well concealed from view. I then gather up some old 

 dry leaves and grass and scatter it about on the ground, 

 near where I have prepared a place for the nest. The 

 bird pays no attention to this until she wants to lay. 

 She will then select one of these places, and after 

 scratching a deep cup-shaped place in the ground, de- 

 posit in it her eggs. When the hen is on the nest she 

 is continually making a kind of cooing sound, which 

 I have never heard them make on any other occasion. 

 If there should be sufficient material within easy reach 

 of the nest, the bird will sometimes cover the eggs up, 

 but not in all cases. 



"No nesting material is taken to the nest until after 

 three or four eggs are laid. After this number has 



