BONASA SYLVESTRIS.
Captain Blakiston mentions in the “ Ihis” for 18G2, p. 329, tliat lie “ brought from Japan a single yonug male gronse, which Dr.
Sclatov considered to bo of this species, and which >Ir. Maximovitcb, who had killed them, pronounced to be identical with those of the
Amoor. Tliis is” (he goes on to say), “ I believe, the first instance of this bird being found in Japan; probably it does not inhabit the
more gontlicrii part of the empire. As far as I saw, it lias tho same habits as tlic Rnffcd Grouse of North Amorica.” On another occasion
four fine males with black throats were killed, but those he was unable to save.
Tho male may be described as follows: Top of head, neck and shonldei-s rufous brown, barred with black; back and rump lighter
brown mottled with black, and each feather edged with gray. Chin and throat black, the latter edged with a broad baud of white. A'
white mark also before and behind the eye. A band of rufous across the fore part of breast, each feather with a white streak near the
tip. A broad wliite band in front of wings. Wing coverts reddisli brown, mottled with black, some feathers having central streaks of
white, widening a t the fip, others with round white spots. Under parts white, irregularly marked with black or brown. Secondaries and
primaries brown, the former tipped with reddish yellow, the latter having their outer edges mottled with reddish yellow and brown. Tail
gray, confusedly mottled with black, and having a broad black band near the tip. Tarsi half covered with grayish hairy feathers, the
naked parts brown. Bill black. Feet brown.
Tlic female diffois from the male iu having the throat yellowish brown, and a reddish brown spot before the eye.
The figures are of life size.