598 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters . 
298. Canada Crouse. 
Dendragapus canadensis (Linn.). 
The Canada Crouse, more commonly called Spruce Partridge 
in this region, was not observed. It is reported by the natives, 
however, as not uncommon in the spruce swamps north of Prince 
Albert, across the north branch of the Saskatchewan Raver, and 
is no doubt a resident. 
300a. Canadian Ruffed Crouse. . 
Bonasa umbeilus icgeda (Linn.). 
The Canadian Ruffed Crouse is a rather common bird in the 
region visited. It was generally found in the strips of poplar 
bordering the Saskatchewan River, and in poplar bluffs. The 
drumming of the male was a familiar sound in the woods. One 
fallen log was observed which was frequently resorted to by 
one of the birds for this purpose, and the marks on a certain 
area of it gave evidence of long use. 
The nest of this variety differs but little, if any, from the nest 
of the Ruffed Crouse ,—Bonasa umbeilus. It is a slight de¬ 
pression in the ground, beside a fallen tree or stump or in a 
brush pile. Leaves or bits of bark serve for a lining. One 
nest was situated at the base of a standing poplar tree. The 
hollow measured six inches in diameter and two inches in depth. 
It was thinly lined with dead leaves. The nest was only eight 
feet from the side of a trail by which one of the settlers passed 
daily. The parent bird did not leave the nest as it was passed, 
but sat always with her tail against the base of the tree, and 
sharply eyed the passer-by. Ob one occasion, she remained on 
the nest until approached within two feet. The nest was. but 
little hidden, the remarkable resemblance of the bird, on the 
nest, to the surroundings, affording much protection. 
On June 20, this nest contained nine eggs which were almost 
fresh. On May 7, a female of this species was shot and, on 
skinning, was found to contain a completely developed egg. On 
the following day, another bird of this variety was taken, which 
also held a fully developed egg and many others in different 
stages of development. On May 24, several broken eggs were 
observed lying on the sandy shore of a point running out into 
