CANADA, GROUSE. 4I 



other. These " Partridge dances " last for a month or more, 

 until concluded by the more serious employ of incubation. 

 In imitation of this curious amusement of the Sharp-tailed 

 Grouse, the Indians of the upper Missouri have what they call 

 a Partridge-Dance, in which the old men chiefly join. 



The true Sharp-tail is not found south of the Canadian border. 

 It occurs in the wooded districts along the north shore of Lake 

 Superior, and thence north to the timber limit, and west to British 

 Columbia and Alaska. 



Note. — The " Prairie Chicken " is a paler race, called by 

 the systematists the Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse {P. phasia- 

 nellus campestris). It differs from the type in displaying more of 

 the gray shades, with tints of buff and drab, and less of the red 

 tinge in the upper parts. Also the dark tints are much paler in 

 campestris, so that the white spots on the wings do not stand in 

 such marked contrast. This sub-species ranges east to the prairie 

 districts of Illinois and Wisconsin, and is reported by Mr. Thomp- 

 son as abundant in Manitoba. 



CANADA GROUSE. 



spotted grouse. spruce partridge. 



Dendragapus canadensis. 



Char. Male : prevailing color black, varied above irregularly with 

 gray and tawny; below, spotted with white; a comb of reddish colored 

 naked skin over the' eyes ; tail with terminal band of orange brown ; legs 

 feathered to the toes. Female : prevailing color brown, varied with black 

 and gray. Length about 16 inches. 



Nest. In deep forest, hidden by .". low hanging branch; a mere de- 

 pression in the turf ; sometimes leaves, grass, and bits of moss are 

 loosely arranged as a lining. 



Eggs- 8-14 (usually about 10) ; ground color varies from dull white 

 to buff and reddish brown, marked irregularly with several shades of 

 reddish and orange brown and umber ; 1.70 X I -20. 



This dark species of Grouse inhabits the cold regions of 

 Hudson Bay up to the 67 th parallel, throughout the whole 

 year, where it frequents the bushy plains. To the south of 

 this country it appears to seek out the alpine elevations, 



