204 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



statements of the various observers it will be seen that the range 

 of the Gray Ruffed Grouse and the Canadian Ruffed Grouse are 

 not well defined, and that these forms are so closely related that 

 Mr. Seton-Thompson's line of demarcation seems to be the true 

 test of the form, or rather colour, and that the resident of the 

 aspen. woods is B. tintdelloides, while that of the spruce forests is 

 B. togata. This leaves the true B. umbellus on the Atlantic coast 

 and B. sabini on the Pacific coast. 



Breeding Notes.— Two nests of this species were taken by 

 the writer at Revelstoke, B.C., on the 13th and 18th of May, 1890. 

 Both nests were in the same situation, on a burnt hillside beside 

 a fallen log. One contained six and the other seven eggs. 

 Both sets were quite fresh, but in each case the old bird rose 

 from the nest or near it. All the birds shot around Revelstoke 

 were of this form, except one which is good B. togata. This 

 specimen may be a young bird only a year old, and might have 

 changed to triu B. umbelloides at the next moult. 



MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 



Two fine specimens taken at Revelstoke, B.C., April i2th, 1890, 

 and another at Edmonton, Alberta, April 20th, 1897, all three by 

 Mr. W. .Spreadborough. One set of six eggs taken at Revelstoke, 

 B. C, May i8th, 1890, by the writer. 



300c. Oregon Buffed Grouse. 



Bonasa umbellus sabini (Dougl.) Coues. 1872. 



A few specimens of this bird were taken about Sitka by Bis- 

 choff, and others have been found in British Columbia, so that 

 there is no doubt it occurs along the northwest coast as far as the 

 heavily wooded region in the vicinity of Kadiak and the adjoin- 

 ing mainland. (Nelson.) One of the most abundant birds of the 

 coast region of British Columbia, including all the islands in the 

 Gulf of Georgia, Vancouver Island and Queen Charlotte Islands. 

 To me this form is quite distinct, but yet I have been told by 

 sportsmen that three varieties have been found in the same covey. 



MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 



Two fine specimens presented to the Museum by Mr. John 

 Fannin, taken on Vancouver Island, 1885. Five eggs taken on 

 Vancouver Island May 23rd, 1882, by the Rev. George Taylor. 



