668 
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 
This dark species of Grous inhabits the cold regions 
of Hudson’s Bay throughout the whole year, where it 
frequents the bushy plains. To the south of this country, 
it appears to seek out the alpine elevations, being met 
with in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and 
throughout a great portion of the northern Andes, to- 
wards the sources of the Missouri and Oregon. In win- 
ter it visits Canada, the interior of Maine, Michigan, 
sometimes the state of New York ; and it even breeds 
around Halifax in Nova Scotia. In Canada it is known 
by the name of the Wood Partridge ; by others it is called 
the Cedar or Spruce Partridge. Sometimes they are 
sent in a frozen state from Nova Scotia and New Bruns- 
wick to Boston. 
The favorite resort of this species is in pine and spruce 
woods, and cedar swamps, which they frequent in the 
winter for the purpose of feeding on the buds, oily seeds, 
and evergreen foliage, to which they also add juniper 
berries. Their flesh, though palatable at all times, is 
considered best in summer, when they feed much on ber- 
ries ; as the buds of the resinous evergreens communi- 
cate an unpleasant flavor to the game. As usual, they 
nest on the ground with little art, in the slight shelter of 
fallen leaves and bushes, and are said by Pennant to lay 
but 5 eggs, which are varied with white, yellow, and 
black. They are readily approached, and sometimes so 
unsuspicious, as, like the Ptarmigan, to allow of being 
knocked down with a stick; and, round Hudson’s Bay, 
are commonly caught by the aborigines in a simple noose 
fastened to a stake. When much disturbed, however, 
they betake themselves to trees, where they are readily 
approached and shot down. 
The Spotted Grous is only 15 inches in length, and weighs about 
23 ounces. The general color is black and grey, mingled in trans- 
