1883.] 383 [Brewster. 



ably the Ptarmigan ( probably both L. albus and L. rupestris), 

 while the " Gray Partridge " was equally clearly the Spruce 

 Grouse. Of the " Birch Partridge " I give my informant's descrip- 

 tion in his own words as nearly as I can remember them : " It is 

 larger than either of the others, brown in color, and has conspic- 

 uous tufts of shiny, black feathers on the sides of the neck. It 

 has a habit of drumming on a rock or fallen tree. We call it the 

 Birch Partridge 1 because it is usually found in hard-wood 

 growth." He further said that he had shot specimens at various 

 places to the eastward of Mingan, and on a certain occasion, when 

 ashore near the entrance to Hudson's Straits, at the northern ex- 

 tremity of Labrador, had heard one drumming in the woods and 

 following the sound, killed it. 



Of course I made every effort to verify these statements and 

 the result was highly satisfactory. The Indians about the post 

 knew the bird well and had killed it at various points a hundred 

 miles or more to the northward in the interior. The " guardian " 

 of Mingan River was also familiar with it, and frequently heard 

 it drumming in the neighboring woods. But the strongest evi- 

 dence of all was furnished by a man who for several days acted 

 as our pilot. This person had spent many years on the North 

 Shore and had hunted extensively in the interior, as well as over, 

 most of Labrador. He assured me that the " Birch Partridge " 

 (of which he gave a good description) ranges over the entire re- 

 gion between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Hudson Straits. In 

 common with my other informants, however, he stated that it is 

 nowhere numerous ; but, on the contrary, occurs locally and 

 sparingly in places suited to its peculiar requirements. 



I have every reason to believe the above testimony reliable. If 

 accepted it will, of course, extend the northward range of the 

 Ruffed Grouse near the Atlantic coast, far beyond any point from 

 which it has been previously reported. 2 



52. Lagopus albus, Gmel. — Willow Ptarmigan. 



An adult female in summer plumage with a chick about ten 

 days old were taken by Mr. Gardiner near Fox Bay, Anticosti, 



1 The Buffed Grouse is called by the same name throughout most of northern New 

 England. 



2 Dr. Merriam has recorded its occurence at Point de Monts, north of the mouth of 

 St. Lawrence Biver. (See Bull. N. 0. C, vol. vn, p. 238.) 



