BONASA UMBELLUS. 
351 
In 1858, Prof. Baird gives these birds as occurring in much the same places, hut adds 
that they are found on the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. Mr Lawrence included them 
in his list of the birds of Long Island in 1866. Nuttall says that they were found in West- 
ford, Connecticut, in 1832, and ten years later, Linsley said that they were not to he found 
in the State. There has not been a wild specimen in Maine for many years and aside from 
a few which are, perhaps, to he found on Martha’s Vineyard, there are now none in Mass¬ 
achusetts, for I do not think that there are any on the Island of Naushon; it will also he 
safe to say that there are none on Long Island. Dr. Turnbull, in his list of the birds of 
East Pennsylvania and New Jersey, written in 1869, states that within a year or two, they 
have been taken on the Jersey Plains, but none are there now. He also says, “A few are 
still met with in Monroe and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania, where I have shot the 
species.” Thus it will be seen, if any remain in the latter named section now, which is 
not improbable, it is the only locality, aside from Martha’s Vineyard, where the species is 
found at any distance east of the Mississippi, for they have disappeared from the interven¬ 
ing sections. 
I know but little, from actual observation, of the habits of these interesting birds, for 
the only specimens that I ever saw living, were three or four that I purchased in the Boston 
Market some years ago. These were exceedingly wild and although I gave them the best 
of care, lived but two or three months. 
Since the above was put in type, I learn from my friend, Mr. Purdie, that he has 
ascertained through reliable sources that there is still quite a little colony of these Grouse 
living on Martha’s Vineyard, but that, in spite of the very stringent laws, enacted by our 
Legislature, for their protection, some are shot every year. This is certainly deplorable, 
and the ornithologists of the State ought to make some effort to save these fine birds from 
the total extermination which will ultimately be their fate unless the law is very strictly 
enforced. 
GENUS IV. BONASA. THE BRUSH GROUSE. 
Gen. Ch. Posterior margin of sternum, between indentations, quite narrow and rounded. Tip of keel, not projected 
forward as far as the depth of the inner indentations. Costal process, widened and rounded at point. Tarsus, not fully 
feathered. Neck feathers, elongated. 
Members of this genus inhabit wooded or brushy country, usually preferring the latter. The tail is long but the wings 
are short. Head, crested. The sterno-trachealis is large but there are no other laryngeal muscles. Tympaniform mem¬ 
brane, present, but short. There is but one species within our limits. 
BONASA UMBELLUS. 
Ruffed. Grouse. 
Bonasa umbel/us Steph., Shaw’s, Gen. Zool., XI; 18*24, 300. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form, robust. Size, quite large. Sternum, not stout and the terminal expansion of scapula is not large 
and is extended backward. There is a tuft of broad, abruptly truncated feathers on sides of neck beneath which is a na¬ 
ked space. Tongue,'triangular in form, fleshy, and pointed. Cceca, 20*00 long, small at base, measuring about *10 in di¬ 
ameter, then gradually enlarging to about *30 in diameter, then tapering to the blind end, the termination of which is point¬ 
ed. They are brownish in color, with ten longitudinal linns of a lighter shade. Number of tail feathers, eighteen. Sex¬ 
es, not similar. 
