224 ZOOLOGY. 



This bird replaces the pinnated grouse in the western country. We first noticed the species 

 in Nebraska, near Fort Union, at the mouth of the Yellowstone river. From that point to the 

 Cascade mountains of Oregon and Washington Territories the species is exceeding abundant 

 wherever there is open country and a sufficiency of food. In certain places they are in great 

 numbers in the autumn, congregating in large flocks, especially in the vicinity of patches of 

 wild rye, and more recently near settlements where there are wheat stubbles. They resemble 

 the pinnated grouse in habits, and are good both for the table and for sport. In places where 

 they are numerous they may frequently be found on cold mornings in the autumn or early 

 winter perched on fences or leafless trees, sunning themselves in the early sunlight. 



At Fort Dalles, on the 1st of April, 1855, a young bird scarcely two days old was brought to 

 me. This early incubation would lead us to suspect that the species, in favorable situations, 

 has two or more broods during the season. The young bird above mentioned was confided to 

 the matronly care of a hen with a young brood of chickens, but the young grouse, not under- 

 standing the kindness of its foster parent, ran and hid itself as soon as possible, and probably 

 perished that very night from cold. 



The settlers on the Upper Columbia speak of a "gray grouse," which is probably nothing 

 else than the full-grown young of the present species in their first plumage. — S. 



Note. — I have occasionally heard of a grouse which " turns white in winter" that is said to 

 be found on Mount Rainier, one of the lofty snow peaks of the Cascade range. Dr. Townsend 

 also mentions a Ptarmigan in his list of Oregon birds. All the efforts of myself and friends 

 have thus far proved unsuccessful in obtaining a specimen. — S. 



BONASA SABINII, Baird. 



Oregon Grouse. 



Tttrao sabinii, Doiqlas, Trans. Linn. Soc. XVI, 1829, 137.— Rich. F. Bor. Am. II, IS31, 313.— Baikd, Gen. Rep. 



Birds, p. 631. 

 f Tetrao umbellus. Rich. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 312.— Nr.wBERnY, Zool. Cal. & Or. Route ; Eep. P. R. R. Surv. VI, iv, 

 1857, 91. 

 Ch. — Tail of eighteen featiiers; dark brown above; tlie bade with cordate spots of lighter. Beneath whitish, transversely 

 barred with brown. Tail tipped with gray, and with a subterminal bar of blaclt. Broad feathers of the ruff black. Similar to 

 B. umbeUus, but much darker. Middle toe longer. Length about 18 inches ; wing, 7. 30 ; tail, 6. 70. 

 Bab. — Rocky mountains to Pacific coast of Oregon and Washington ; only in the timbered regions. 



The ruffed grouse, partridge, or pheasant, as it is most commonly called in this Territory, is 

 very abundant everywhere about the borders of woods and clearings. It is common near the 

 forests east of the Cascade mountains up to the 49th degree. These birds vary considerably 

 in plumage there, a pale grayish hue predominating ; while west of the mountains they are all 

 of a very dark brown. There seems, however, to be no difference in their habits or cries from 

 those of the same bird elsewhere. — C. 



The western ruffed grouse is abundant in the timbered districts throughout Washington and 

 Oregon Territories. In habits they are identical with the same bird east. Owing to the mild- 

 ness of the season in the vicinity of Fort Steilacoom the males commence drumming as early as 

 January, and in February I have heard them drumming through the whole night. In autumn 

 these grouse collect in great numbers in the crabapple thickets, near the salt marshes, at the 

 mouths of the rivers emptying into Puget Sound. Here they feed for about six weeks on the 

 ripe fruit of the northwestern crabapple, the Pyrus rivularis of Nuttall. — S. 



