126 
THE CANADIAN GROUSE. 
is mnch better in summer, as in winter it bas a strong 
flavour of spruce. At Hudson's Bay, wiiere they 
are called indifferently Wood or Spruce Partridge, 
they are seen throughout the year. Like other 
grouse, they build on the ground, having perhaps 
fewer eggs ; these are varied with white, yellow and 
black. They are easily approached, being unsuspi- 
cious, by no means so shy as the common ruffed 
grouse, and are killed or trapped in numbers, with- 
out much artifice being necessary for this purpose. 
When much disturbed, like their kindred species, 
they are apt to resort to trees, where, by using the 
precaution of always shooting the lowest, the whole 
of the terrified flock may he brought down to the 
last bird.” Mr Douglas says that they (the var. 
Franklhiii) are the, most common birds in the val- 
leys of the Rocky Mountains from 50° to 60°, and 
that some small troops are found in the higher moun- 
tains, which form the base of the snowy peaks. The 
alarm-note is two or three hollow sounds, ending in 
a yearning disagreeable grating note, like the latter 
part of the cal) of the Guinea fowl. The male is 
represented on the accompanying plate ; the female 
is smaller, more varied, with less of black, and more 
of dusky; the upper parts are confusedly mottled 
with dull rusty orange ami grey. The sides of the 
head, throat, and all the neck below, are dull rusty 
brown, each feather varied with black ; on the lower 
part of the breast the black bands are broad and very 
deep, alternating equally with rusty orange. 
Our next bird is— 
