No. V.] 



ZOOLOGY. 



679 



in holes or boxes, and does not form an earthen case for its nest, as is done by 

 that bird. The whole upper parts of the bird are black glossed with bright blue; 

 the tail is much forked, and the wings are so long as to extend beyond the tail ; the 

 under parts of the head, neck, and body are white ; the wings are brown, both above 

 and below ; and the tail feathers are similar, but the under coverts are white ; 

 the length is about six inches and a half. The specimen was killed at Cum- 

 berland-House. Hearne mentions Martins as frequenting Hudson's Bay, probably 

 these birds. 



Columba Migratoria. Passenger Pigeon. 



The details given by Wilson of the habits of these extraordinary birds are most 

 interesting. Their migrations appear to be more in search of food than of climate ; 

 though found in all parts of northern America, east of the Rocky Mountains, 

 their chief resorts seem to be the countries contiguous to the Ohio. They breed 

 together in great numbers, rearing only one young at a time, but have three or four 

 hatches in each season ; though they prefer living thus in common, they are fre- 

 quently known to make their nests in detached places. They are described by Forster, 

 but not mentioned by Hearne; they come, however, to the countries near Hudson's 

 Bay, and sometimes remain there late in the season. It seems likely that, as popu- 

 lation and cultivation extend westward, the countless multitudes of these birds, which 

 darken the air for hours and miles together in their flight, will be reduced ; their 

 visitations must be ruinous to agricultural districts, and consequently incompatible 

 with civilization ; indeed, it is probable that their less frequent appearance in the 

 Atlantic States has been caused by the necessity they have felt to retire from the 

 frequented abodes of man. 



Tetrao Umbellus. Ruffed Grouse. 



Specimens of a male and female were sent from Cumberland-House, where they 

 were killed, in November, 1819. This species is stated by Wilson to be called the 

 Partridge in the Eastern States, and .the Pheasant in Pennsylvania and the southern 

 districts, but must not be confounded with the bird in the next article, which is 

 more usually known as the Pheasant, and with which Wilson does not appear to 

 have been acquainted, when he wrote on the Ruffed Grouse. This species is 

 found in every part of the United States, as well as in the countries west of the 

 Mississippi ; it is well known to the British settlers in the northern parts also, 

 where it has been called the Shoulder-knot Grouse, as well as the Ruffed Grouse, the 

 Indian name being Puspuskee. It is described both by Forster and Hearne. This 

 species is an inhabitant of woody countries only, in which it differs from the Pin- 

 nated Grouse of America, (Tetrao Cupido) better known to the sportsmen of the 



