578 SYSmMATIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLING — ALECTOEOFODES. 



of 16-20 feathers. Sides of the neck frequently with lengthened or otherwise modified feathers, 

 or a bare distensible skin, or both. 



The true Grouse are confined to the northern hemisphere, and reach their highest develop- 

 ment, as a group, in North America, where singularly varied forms occur. The only Old World 

 species are — the great Tetrao zirogallus, or Capercaillie f>f Europe, and its allied Asiatic species; 

 Lyrurus tetrix, the "black game" of Europe, with curiously curled tail-feathers; Canace 

 falcij^ennis of Siberia, the representative of our Spruce Partridge ; Sonasa betidina of Northern 

 Europe and Asia, like our Ruffed Grouse ; and two or three species of Ptarmigan {Lagopus). 



All the species of this subfamily used to be referred to a single genus Tetrao — the only 

 generic name familiar to sportsmen and others who make no technical study of birds. But sucli 

 must not be surprised to find me discarding this well-known name, and adopting several different 

 ones as generic designations of our Grouse, which differ much among themselves, in points of 

 form and structure, and are all widely diverse from Tetrao urogallus of Eurcjpe, tyi)e fjf the 

 genus. 



Analysis of N. Am. Genera of Tetraoninm. 



Tail stiff, pointed, wedge-shaped, equalling or exceeding the wings, of 20 feathers; scaly and liair-iikc 



feathers on breast. Tarsi full-feathered. Very large Cenfrocercus 205- 



Tail stitf, pointed, wedge-shaped, much shorter than wings, of 18 feathers ; no obviously peculiar feathers 



on neck. Tarsi full-feathered Pedlacetes 20G 



Tail stiffish, roiuiiled, much shorter than wing, of 18 feathers ; wing-lilie tufts and great bare space on 



neck. Tarsi scant-feathered Cupldonia 207 



Tail soft, rounded, about as long as wing, of 18 feathers ; umbrella-like tufts on neck, but no obvious 



bare space. Tarsi bare below Jionasa 208 



Tail stiftish, flat, square, shorter than wing, of 16 or 20 feathers ; no evidently peculiar feathers or obriously 



bare space on neck. Tarsi full-feathered Cnnace 204: 



Tail, etc., as iu C'ajjace. Tarsi and toes fully feathered. White in winter Lagopus 201^ 



204. CA'NACE. (Lat. Canace, a pniper name.) Tree Grouse. Black Gkol'SE. No obvi- 

 (jusly lengthened or otherwise peculiar feathers on neck tir head. No ohviously naked space on 

 neck : but there is a piece of skin capable of distension, especially in the Western species of 

 Dendragapus. A strip of bare colored skin over eye. No crest. Tarsi feathered to the toes. 

 Tail little shorter than wing, stiflfish, nearly square, of broad, obtuse feathers, normally 16 (in 

 Canace proper) or 20 (in Dendragapus) in number. Of medium and large size, and dark 

 blended colors, inhabiting woodland, like the species of Bonasa, and quite arboreal ; northerly 

 and alpine. Sexes distinguishable. Eggs heavily-colored. 



Analysis of Subgenera, Species, ami Varieties. 

 Tail normally of 16 feathers (exceptionally of 14 or 18, as an individual peculiarity). {Canace proper.) 



Tail with broad orange-brown end, its upper coverts without white spots. Eastern . . canadensis 555 



Tail without orange-brown end, its upper coverts with white spots. Western franUini B56 



Tail normally of 20 feathers (exceptionally 18 or 22 ?). {Dendragapus.) Western. 

 Tail black, with broad slate-colored end. 



Under parts clear bluish slate color. Kocky Mts., etc., southerly obscura 557 



Under parts sooty plumbeous. Alaska. . , fuliginosa 659 



Tail black, with narrow or no slate-colored end. Rocky Mts., etc, northerly richardsoni 55S 



555. C. canaden'sis. (Of Canada. Fig. 397.) CANADA GROUSE. SPOTTED GrOUSE. SpruCE 

 Grouse. Spruce " Partridge." Adult cock: Head smooth, but feathers susceptible of erec- 

 tion into a slight crest. A colored comb of naked skin over the eye, bright yellow or reddish 

 when fully injected. Tail slightly rounded, of 16 feathers, a scant inch broad to their very ends. 

 Tarsi full-feathered to the toes, which are naked, scaly, and fringed. Tail black, broadly tipped 

 with orange-brown ; its upper coverts without decidedly white tips. Under parts glossy black, 

 extensively varied with white ; under tail-coverts tipped with white ; sides and breast with 

 white bars or semicircles ; white spots bounding the throat ; white spots on lore. Upper parts 

 wavy — barred with lilack and gray, usually also with some tawny markings on the back and 

 wings. In full feather, tlie appearance is of a black bird, grayer above, spotty with white 



