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 eroup contains only two representatives, namely, the 

 American Grouse. . . , . . 



Canadian grouse or spruce-partridge {Canachites canadensis) of 



HYBRID BETWEEN BLACKCOCK AND CAFEBCAILLIE (^ nat. size). 



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

 ally, Franklin's grouse (C. franJdini), 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 



