DUSKY GROUS. 
33 
- 
known species of Grouse are found in North America or in Europe, 
the European also inhabiting Asia; from whose elevated central 
and northern regions, yet unexplored, may be expected any new 
species that still remain to be discovered. The extensive wilds 
of North America may also furnish more, though we do not think 
so; for since we have become acquainted with both sexes of the 
Dusky Grous and the Cock of the Plains, we have been able 
to refer satisfactorily to known species all those of which any 
indications occur in the accounts of travellers in this country. 
North America is exceeded by no country in the beauty, 
number, and valuable qualities of her Grouse; and she is even 
perhaps superior to all others in these respects since the discovery 
of the Cock of the Plains. Although the careful and accurate 
researches of Wilson had led him to the belief that there existed 
but two species of Grouse in the territory of the United States, 
no less than six are now known to inhabit within their boundaries. 
But we are not aware that any of the subgenus Lagopus ever 
enters the confines of the Union, notwithstanding the pains we 
have taken to obtain information on this point from the high 
northern districts of Maine and Michigan, in which, if any where, 
they are most likely to be discovered. It would however be 
very extraordinary if these birds, which are found in the Alps of 
Switzerland, should not also inhabit the lofty ranges of the Rocky 
Mountains, which are known to be the resort of the various 
species of Grouse. With the exception therefore of the well 
known Tetrao umbellus , which belongs to Bonasia, all the others 
are true Grouse, Tetraones. 
The Spotted, and the Sharp-tailed Grouse, were long since 
known as inhabitants of that part of America north of the United 
States; but the two others are newly added, not only to our Fauna, 
but to the General System, being found for the first time in the 
American territory and not elsewhere. For the history of the 
vol. hi.— i 
l 
