CANADA GROUSE. 
41 
other. These “ Partridge dances” last for a month or more, 
until concluded by the more serious employ of incubation. 
In imitation of this curious amusement of the Sharp-tailed 
Grouse, the Indians of the upper Missouri have what they call 
a Partridge- Dance, in which the old men chiefly join. 
The true Sharp-tail is not found south of the Canadian border. 
It occurs in the wooded districts along the north shore of Lake 
Superior, and thence north to the timber limit, and west to British 
Columbia and Alaska. 
Note. — The “Prairie Chicken” is a paler race, called by 
the systematists the Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse {P.phasia- 
nelhts campcstris). It differs from the type in di.splaying more of 
the gray shades, with tints of buff and drab, and less of the red 
tinge in the upper parts. Also the dark tints are much paler in 
campestris, so that the white spots on the wings do not stand in 
such marked contrast. This sub-species ranges east to the prairie 
districts of Illinois and Wisconsin, and is reported by Mr. Thomp- 
son as abundant in Manitoba. 
CANADA GROUSE. 
SPOTTED GROUSE. SPRUCE PARTRIDGE. 
Dendragapus canadensis. 
Char. Male: prevailing color black, varied above irregularly with 
gray and tawny; below, spotted with white; a comb of reddish colored 
naked skin over the eyes; tail with terminal band of orange brown ; legs 
feathered to the toes. Female : prevailing color brown, varied with black 
and gray. Length about 16 inches. 
A'est. In deep forest, hidden by a low hanging branch ; a mere de- 
pression in the turf ; sometimes leaves, grass, and bits of moss are 
loosely arranged as a lining. 
Eggs. 8-14 (usually about lo) ; ground color varies from dull white 
to buff and reddish brown, marked irregularly with several shades of 
reddish and orange brown and umber ; 1.70 X 1.20. 
This dark species of Grouse inhabits the cold regions of 
Hudson Bay up to the 67th parallel, throughout the whole 
year, where it frequents the bushy plains. To the south of 
this country it appears to seek out the alpine elevations. 
