1922] Swarth: Birds and Mammals of the Stikine Begion 207 



Bonasa umbellus umbelloides (Douglas). Gray Ruffed Grouse 



Fairly common in the poplar forests of the upper Stikine Valley. 

 We ourselves saw none below Doch-da-on Creek, but the species un- 

 doubtedly ranges farther down stream, regularly. We were told of its 

 occasional occurrence at the mouth of the river, but whether breeding 

 or merely in winter I do not know. 



During the first week in June single birds were several times seen 

 at the. Junction. Three that were shot at this point were all males ; the 

 females were undoubtedly sitting on eggs at that time. On June 12 

 the first young were seen, two broods being encountered near Telegraph 

 Creek. The young of one brood were still unable to fly. Our first 

 knowledge of their presence was derived from the mother bird, who 

 burst forth from the bushes and charged us furiously. She kept tail 

 and ruff widely spread, the head crest depressed. She was mewling 

 in a very catlike fashion, and also hissing from time to time. There 

 was an occasional faint peep from the grass nearby, and once I caught 

 a glimpse of a yellow chick slipping away through the shrubbery, but 

 the young were too agile to be captured. 



The young of the second brood were somewhat larger and able to 

 fly. This second mother tried to toll us awdy from the chicks by 

 feigning a broken wing; the noise she made was not unlike the whin- 

 ing of a small puppy. Her actions, all together, gave the impression 

 that she was frightened rather than angry. However, if frightened, 

 she still did not desert her trust, but remained nearby, dragging her- 

 self back and forth across the road, with wings drooping and all her 

 feathers pressed closely against her body. Her tail was not spread 

 nor were her ruffs displayed at any time, all in striking contrast to the 

 behavior of the first bird met that morning. 



From later observations it appeared that these two parents were 

 fairly typical of their kind in such an emergency. The mother either 

 charged the intruder viciously, in an apparent attempt to frighten 

 him, or else she endeavored to distract attention from the chicks to 

 herself by feigning injury and inviting pursuit. On one occasion the 

 parent of a brood came charging at me through the woods from a 

 distance of fifty yards. 



At Doch-da-on Creek, July 8 to 26, ruffed grouse were seen on many 

 occasions. On July 15 an adult male was shot that proved to be in 

 the midst of the molt ; only one or two of the old rectrices were left and 

 the body was covered with pin feathers. On July 18 the last drum- 

 ming was heard. 



