I 912 ] Swarth: Birds and Mammals from Vancouver Island 21 



which would otherwise be killed by sportsmen ; for though they 

 are abundant about the farms and on the outskirts of the towns 

 during the breeding season, at the beginning of the shooting 

 season most of them have withdrawn to the wilder and more 

 inaccessible regions. 



The male birds collected are indistinguishable from compar- 

 able specimens from southeastern Alaska, but the females from 

 the two regions show conspicuous differences of coloration. The 

 Alaska birds are of a decided reddish tone as compared with the 

 gray and brown of Vancouver Island specimens. This is especi- 

 ally noticeable on the dorsal surface of the body, on the head 

 and neck, and on the tarsi. It appears to be a constant differ- 

 ence between females from the two regions, the only Alaska 

 specimens showing an approach toward the other type of colora- 

 tion being individuals in very worn plumage, which condition 

 is probably largely accountable for the departure from the usual 

 character. No Vancouver Island specimens are of the reddish 

 color of the Alaska birds. 



Eighteen specimens were preserved (nos. 15547, 15568- 

 15584) : seven adult males, seven adult females, one immature 

 male (molting from juvenal into first winter plumage), two in 

 natal down, and one adult female saved as a skeleton. 



Bonasa umbellus sabini (Douglas) 

 Oregon Ruffed Grouse 

 Common at many of the points visited, but apparently con- 

 fined to low altitudes. About Parksville and Errington on the 

 east coast, and about Alberni, near the center of the island, it 

 was abundant in the woods. At Nootka it was uncommon, all 

 that were seen being two old males, one at Friendly Cove and 

 one at Tahsis Canal, and a female with a brood of young at 

 the latter place. There were none in the Golden Eagle and 

 King Solomon basins, nor on the surrounding mountains. A 

 number were seen between Alberni and Central Lake, but at the 

 head of the lake and in the mountains beyond no ruffed grouse 

 were encountered. Thus on Vancouver Island it appears to be a 

 bird of the lowlands. At Errington, in September, they were 

 abundant in the woods, in small flocks, probably family groups, 



