RUFFED GROUSE. AAT 
BonaASA UMBELLUS (L.) Steph. 
Rreuffed Grouse; Partridge; Pheasant. 
Tetrao wmbellus, KIRTLAND, Prelim. Rep. Ohio Geolog. Surv., 1838, 67; Ohio Geolog. 
Surv , 1838, 165.—AUDUBON, Orn. Biog., i, 1831, 211; B. Am., v. 1842, 74.—Reap, Proc. 
Phila. Acad. Nat. Sci., vi, 1853, 395. 
Bonasa umbellus, WHEATON, Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1860, 367, 377; Reprint, 1861, 9, 19; 
Food of Birds, etc., Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1874, 571; Reprint, 1875, 11—LANGDON, 
Cat. Birds of Cin., 1877, 14; Sammer Birds, Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., iii, 1880, 226, 
Bonasa umbellus, var. umbellus, BAIRD, BREWER and RIDGWAY, ill, 1874, 450.—LANGDON, 
Revised List, Journ. Soc. Nat. His, 1, 1879, 181; Reprint, 15. 
Partridge, KIRTLAND, Fam. Visitor, i, 1850, 1. 
Tetrao unbellus, LINNZZUs, Syst. Nat, i, 1766, 275. 
Bonasa umbellus, STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Z5ol, xi, 1824, 300. 
Sexes nearly alike; variegated reddish- or grayish-brown; the back with numerous 
oblong, pale, black-edged spots; neck-tufts glossy-black ; below, whitish barred with 
brown; tail with a broad subterminal black zone, and tipped with gray. Length, 16- 
18; wing, 7-8. 
“‘Habitat, the typical form, the United States to the high central plains, in wooded 
districts. Canada and the interior of the fur countries, to Nulato, Alaska (Dall). But 
I am informed by Mr. Ridgway that British American—even Canadian—specimens are 
all more or less referable to var. umbelloides, being grayer than those of the United 
States). Of var. umbelloides, the Rocky Mountain region. Of var. sabinii, the Pacific 
provinces, from the northern border of California to Sitka.’ (Coues.) 
Common resident in many localities, rare or absent in others. Breeds. 
It was formerly much mere numerous and widely distributed than now, 
but has decreased in numbers with the rapid clearing away of tim- 
bered lands. It is now most abundant, and probably always has been, in 
the hilly portions of the State, less frequent or almost exterminated in 
level woodlands. It is not found in prairie regions, its distribution being 
complementary to that of the last species. 
Very few remain in the immediate vicinity of Columbus, where, fifteen 
or twenty years since, they were not uncommon in some localities. Mr. 
Langdon gives no record of its capture in the vicinity of Cincinnati, 
within this State. In the Hocking Hills and their continuation north- 
ward, and in the hilly region of Eastern Ohio, they are still common. 
Ohio birds, present color-characters approaching types of both var. wmbellus 
and wmbelloides. In the same localities, decidedly red and comparatively 
gray birdsaretaken. But my observations have not been sufficiently ex- 
tended to determine whether these differences are dependent on age or sex, 
though they certainly are not on season. 
To avoid confusion it is neccesary to say to those who know this or the 
next species by the name of Partridge, that this bird is not a Partridge, 
