Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 



437 



Ruffed Grouse. 



Length, about 16.50; wing, about 7.50; bill (end of nostril to tip), 

 .50; tarsus, i.ss- 



The Ruffed Grouse is a common resident in wooded portions of 

 Illinois and Wisconsin, and abundant in northern Wisconsin. The 

 nest is built on the ground, usually in woods. Nidification commences 

 in Illinois the latter part of May (sets of eggs taken May 27 th and 

 June I .) . The eggs are brownish buff, from nine to thirteen or four- 

 teen in number, and measure about 1.50 x 1.12 inches. 



The peculiar drumming sounds made by the male are produced by 

 rapidly beating his wings against his body. 



142a. Bonasa umbellus togata (Linn.). 

 Canadian Ruffed Grouse. 



Distr. : Northern New England and New York, throughout Brit- 

 ish Provinces, west to the Pacific; casual in extreme northern United 

 States. 



The Canadian Ruffed Grouse may be distinguished from B. umbel- 

 lus by the under parts being gray, instead of rufous brown, the breast 

 and belly being distinctly barred, and the throat usually barred with 

 dusky. 



This form is included by Kumlien and HoUister in their Birds of 

 Wisconsin, but they appear somewhat doubtful as to its occurrence, 

 as they write: "Typical togata is rare in Wisconsin. A number of 



