113 



FAMILY — TETRAONIDjE. GROUSE. 



The Grouse have their nostrils hidden in feathers that occupy an 

 intrusive space in the base of the bill at the sides (Figure 29, p. 23). The 

 tarsus is either completely or partly feathered; in the Ptarmigan the 

 feathering includes the toes. The toes when unfeathered are bordered 

 on each side by a small fringe composed of individual horny scales or 

 pectinations (Figure 28, p. 22), which are shed in midsummer. The 

 Grouse comprise the bulk of our upland game birds and are great 

 favourites of sportsmen. The sexes are alike or nearly so, and except in 

 the Ptarmigans show slight seasonal variation in plumage and do not 

 usually migrate. The Ptarmigans which directly reverse each of these 

 statements, are so well characterized otherwise that no confusion is prob- 

 able. All species nest on the ground, making little preparation for the 

 eggs. They lay unusually large sets of eggs, six to eighteen, and the 

 young, chicken-like, follow the parent as soon as out of the shell. 



Genus — Canachites. Spruce Partridge. 



298. Spruce Partridge. Canada grouse, spruce grouse, fool hen. fr. — le 

 tetras du Canada. Canachites canadensis. L, 15. Plate X A. 



Distinctions. Easily distinguished by colour, etc., from the Ruffed Grouse which 

 is about the only species in eastern Canada that can possibly be mistaken for it. In the 

 extreme west there are forms that closely resemble it. 



Field Marks. General black and bluish colour of the male. Absence of ruff or special- 

 ized neck feathers and the presence of the striking red comb over the eye, present in both 

 sexes but more conspicuous in the male. 



Distribution. Through the northern coniferous wooded regions of Canada, resident 

 wherever found. 



SUBSPECIES. The Spruce Partridge is divided into several geographical races, two 

 of which, the Hudsonian Spruce Partridge Canachites canadensis canadensis, the type form, 

 and the Canada Spruce Grouse C. c. canace, occur in eastern Canada. The former occupies 

 Labrador and the more northern ranges, and the latter New Brunswick, southern 

 Ontario, etc. They are too similar, however, to be differentiated in a popular work. 



A northern bird of the spruce woods. Its over-confiding nature has 

 given it the popular name of "Fool hen" as, where not much disturbed, 

 it can often be killed with a stick or with stones. Owing to its feeding 

 largely upon spruce or evergreen buds its flesh is too strong for the ordinary 

 civilized palate. 



Economic Status. Being of northern distribution and living in the 

 evergreen forests, it has no economic importance. 



Genus — Bonasa. Ruffed Grouse. 



300. Ruffed Grouse, partridge, birch partridge, pr. — la gelinotte a fraise. 

 Bonasa umbellus. L, 17. Plate X B (Feet and bill, Figures 28, 29, pp. 22-23). 



Distinctions. /The Ruffed Grouse, with its prominent soft, black ruff at the sides of 

 the neck, large fan-shaped tail, and many small eye-like spots on the rump and lower 

 back cannot well be mistaken for any other species. 



Field Marks. Large size and fan-shaped tail. 



Distribution. The Ruffed Grouse is distributed throughout the wooded areas of Canada 

 north to the tree limits. 



SUBSPECIES. Several geographic races of the Ruffed Grouse are recognized. 

 The type form is of southern distribution and is replaced in eastern Canada by the Canada 

 Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus togata, characterized by a greyer or less red coloration. 



