578 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLING — ALECTOBOFOBES. 



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 mogallus, or CapercaiUie of Europe, and its allied Asiatic species; 

 I/yrwrus tebrix, the "black game" of Europe, with curiously curled tail-feathers; Canax^e 

 fahipevmis of Siberia, the representative of our Spruce Partridge ; Bonasa hetulma 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 such 

 must not be surprised to find me discarding this weR-kuown 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 fi-om Tetrao mogallus of Europe, type of the 

 genus. 



Analysis of X'. Am. Genera of Tetraonince. 

 Tail stiff, pointed, wedge-sliaped, equalling or exceeding the wings, of 20 feathers; scaly and hair-like 



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



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



onnecli. Tarsi full-feathered Pediaicetes 206 



Tail stifflsli, rounded, much shorter than wing, of 18 feathers ; wing-like tufts and great bare space on 



neck. Tarsi scant-feathered . Owpidonia 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 Bonasa 208 



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



bare space on neck. Tarsi full-feathered Canace 204 



Tail, etc., as in Camace. Tarsi and toes fully feathered. White in winter . . . . Lagopus 209 



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

 ously lengthened or otherwise peculiar feathers on neck or head. No obmously naked space on 

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

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

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

 Canace proper) or 20 (in Ben&ragapus) in number. Of medium and la,rge size, and dark 

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

 and alpine. Sexes distinguishable. Eggs heavily-colored. 



ATialysis of Subgenera, Species, and Varieties. 



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



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

 Tail without orange-brown end, its upper coverts witli white spots. Western . ... franklini 556 

 Tail normally of 20 feathers (exceptionally 18 or 22 ?). (Bendragapus.) Western, 

 Tail black, with broad slate-colored end. 



Under parts clear bluish slate color. Kooky Mts., etc., southerly obscwra 557 



Under parts sooty plumbeous. Alaska fuliginosa 559 



Tail black, with narrow or no slate-colored end. Rocky Mte,, etc., northerly richardsoni 658 



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 fuUy 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 black and gray, usually also with some tawny markings on the back and 

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



