CANAOE FEANKLINII. Elliot. 
FRANKLIN’S GROUSE. 
TETRAO ERANKLINII. Doug., Traus. Limi. Soc., vol. xvi., 1829, p. 139. — Swain and Rich., Faun. Bor. Amer., vol. ii., 1831, p. 348, pi. Ixi.— 
Baird, U. S. Ex. Exp. P. R. R., vol. ix., p. 623.— Coop, and Snckl., Nat. Hist. Wash. Territ., p. 221. — ^Nutt., Man. Ornith., vol. i., 
1832, p. 667. 
TETRAO CANADENSIS. Var. Bon. Am. Ornith., vol. iii., 1830, p. 47, pi. xxi. $ .■ — ^Ib. Syn. 1828, p. 127. 
TETRAO FUSCA ? Ord. Guth. Geog., 2d Am. edit., vol. ii., 1815, p. 317. 
CANAOE FRANKLINII. EUiot, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1864), p. 
Until very recently, considerable doubt has been entertained by ornithologists, whether or not the present bird was a variety of the common 
Spruce Grouse {C. Canadensis). Prince Charles Bonaparte, in his continuation of Wilson’s Ornithology, gives a figure of the male of this 
species, which came from the Rocty Mountains, and makes some comparisons between it and our well-known bird, closing his remarks by 
disclaiming that he should be understood as insinuating that there were two different species. With the limited materials that were at that 
eminent ornithologist’s command at the time he wrote his article, it was very natural that he should hesitate to separate these birds, since 
the difference in their plumage might possibly have been (to use his own words) “entirely owing to season, though it is asserted that this species 
does not vary in its plumage with the season.” ^ 
Within a short period, however, the Smithsonian Institution has, through its collectors, come into possession of specimens of both sexes 
of this Grouse, and the difterences in their plumage are as characteristic and constant as are those by which the Spruce Grouse is verified. 
Professor Baird, in his article on this species, contained in the ninth volume of the Pacific R. R. Report, was satisfied of the specific distinctness 
of these birds ; although he had only mutilated skins upon which to form his judgment, yet “ the difference from Canadensis, however, even 
in these, is sufficiently appreciable.” The species do not differ much in size, but if there is any, Franklin’s Grouse is a little the larger of 
the two, but the structure of the tail feathers is quite different ; those of Canadensis being much narrower and rounder at the end, while those 
of the present bird retain their width the entire length, being square, and, if anything, rather wider at the tip. The female also differs in 
the color of her plumage from that of Canadensis, being of a richer brown on the breast, and in having the tail and upper tail coverts tipped 
with white. 
Dr. Suckley, who obtained specimens of this Grouse, says that it is “ abundant in the Rocky and Bitter Root Mountains, also found in the 
Cascade Mountains, Washington Territory, near the Yakima Passes. This bird by the Indians has the jargon name 'Tyee Kulla Kulla,’ or 
the ' chief bird,’ or perhaps more correctly, the ' gentleman bird.’ The specimens of Tetrao Franldinii sent by me to the Smithsonian, were 
obtained by Lieut. J. Mullan, U. S. A., at the St. Mary’s Valley, in the Rocky Mountains. Lieut. MuUan stated to me that they were quite 
an abundant bird in that region, and very readily killed, as they are tame and unsuspicious.” 
Mr. Douglass, in the Linnean Transactions, gives the following short account of this species. He says : “ Its flight is similar to the last men- 
tioned ('Ruffed Grouse’); the present, however, runs over the shattered rocks and among the brushwood with amazing speed, and only uses its 
wings as the last effort of escape. Nest on the ground, composed of dead leaves and grass, not unfrequently at the foot of decayed stumps, or 
by the side of fallen timber in the mountain woods. Eggs 5 to 7, dingy white, somewhat smaller than those of Columba palumbus. I have never 
heard the voice of this bird, except its alarm note, which is twm or three hollow sounds, ending in a yearning, disagreeable, grating noise, like the 
latter part of the call of the well-known Numida Meleagris. It is one of the most common birds in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains, from 
latitude 50° to 54°, near the sources of the Columbia river. It may perhaps be found to inhabit higher latitudes. Sparingly seen in small troops 
on the high mountains which form the base or platform of the snowy peaks, 'Mount Hood,’ 'Mount St. Helen’s,’ and 'Mount Baker,’ situated 
on the western parts of the continent. In habit the present species assimilates more with T. Canadensis than any other. The unusually 
long square tail, constantly tipped with white, as is also the case with the upper and under coverts of the tail, are characters too prominent to be 
overlooked.” 
I w'oidd add here, in reference to Mr. Douglass’ statement that the “tail is constantly tipped wdth white,” that I have never seen that 
character in any specimen which has come under my observation. The tail feathers invariably retained their uniform black to the end 
and it was only upon fhe upper and under coverts that the whit© was visible. 
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