I 



[ 393 ] 



Tetrao. 17. Tofratus, 275. 8. Shoulder- knot 

 GroLis. Grosse Gelinotte dii Canada. PI. cnl. 104. 

 Briss. I. 207. t. 21. f. I. Buffon Oiseaux II. p. 



287. 



Severn River, N" 60 and 61. Albany Fort i and 2. 



This bird answers the descriptions given of it by 

 the ornithologists in all respe6ts, and perfe6lly 

 resembles the figure in Brisson, and in the 

 Planches enluminees. It differs from Ed- 

 wards's ruffed heathcock, t. 248. or Lin- 

 neus's Tetrao umbellus, as the latter has 

 not the shining black axillar feathers, or 

 shoulder-knot, but a ferruginous one, is much 

 less, and has brighter colours. M. de Buf- 

 fon, however, thinks they are the same, 

 and suspe(fls at the same time, that the bird 

 which he calls la grosse Gelinotte du Canada 

 (and which is the same with the Society's 

 specimens) is the female of Mr. Edwards's 

 bird, t. 248. This conje6lure is destroyed 

 by the specimens now sent from Hudson's 

 Bay, which by the accounts from thence are 

 expressly said to be males. The shoulder- 

 knot grouses bear the Indian name of Puskee, 

 or Puspitskee, at Hudson's Bay, on account 

 of the leanness and dryness of their flesh, 

 which is extremely white, and of a very close 

 texture, but when well prepared is excellent 

 eating. They are pretty common at Moose 

 Fort and Henly House, but are seldom seen 

 at Albany Fort, or to the northward of the 

 above places. In winter they feed upon ju- 

 VoL. LXII. Eee nipcr 



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