164 
each side by a small fringe composed of individually horny scales of 
pectinations (Figure 28, page 27), which are shed in midsummer. Many 
of them, especially in breeding season, have fleshy erectile combs, over the 
eyes, coloured yellow or red. The Grouse comprise the bulk of our upland 
game birds and are great favourites of sportsmen. The sexes are nearly 
alike, show slight seasonal variation in plumage, except in the Ptarmigan, 
and do not usually migrate. The Ptarmigan, which directly reverse 
each of these statements, are so well characterized otherwise that no 
confusion is probable. All species nest on the ground, making little prepar- 
ation for the eggs. They lay unusually large sets of eggs, six to eighteen, 
and the young, chicken-like, follow the parent as soon as out of the shell. 
297. Blue Grouse (Including Sooty, Richardson’s, and Fleming’s Grouse). 
Dendragarms obscurus. L, about 21. Plate XXI B. A large Grouse coloured in even 
masses of slate-grey running into rich dark browns and black with little white detail. 
Females similar but duller, more mottled with brown and white, tending towards bars and 
more intermixture of rusty on back and flanks. 
Figure 189 
Tail tip of Sooty Grouse; scale, 1. 
Distinctions. The large amount of uniform slate-grev, especially below, and small 
amount of white or other pattern elsewhere, will separate the Blue from all other Grouse. 
Most resembles the Spruce Partridge, or Franklin’s Grouse, but with far less pattern and 
much larger. 
Field Marks. A large Grouse, very evenly grey. In size, likely to be confused only 
with the Sharp-tailed or Ruffed, but entirely different from either. 
Distribution. Rocky Mountain and Pacific Coast region from upper Yukon south to 
California. To be expected in the Prairie Provinces only in the foothills, but a few have 
been reported from upper Mackenzie river. 
Figure 190 
Tail tip of Richardson’s Grouse; scale, 
SUBSPECIES. The Blue Grouse in Canada is divided into two well-defined, recog- 
nized subspecies that may possibly eventually be raised to full species as their difference in 
life, habit, vocal ability, and general action suggests a greater differentiation than do their 
external characters. The Sooty Grouse Dmdragojms obscurus fuliginosus is the coast 
form occurring only west of the Cascade and Coast Range divide. It is distinguished by 
being generally darker than the interior bird, and, with the ends of the tail feathers more 
rounded, and with a distinct grey terminal tail band about three-quarters of an inch wide 
(Figure 189, compare with 190). The bird of the interior, Richardson’s Grouse Dendra- 
