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DBNDEAGAPUS EIOHAEDSONII. E l l t o t .
lilClIAliDSOK’S GBODSE.
TETRAO OBSCURUS. And., Ornith. Biog., vol. iv,, 183S, p. 440, pi. 305,—Id., Syn., 1839, p. 283.—Id., B, of Anicr., vol. i., 1842, p. 89,
pi. 295.—Niitt., Ornith., vol. i., 1840, p. 009.
DENDRAGAPUS RICnARDSONII. Elliot, Proc. Acad. N. S. (1804).
TETRAO RICIIARDSONII. Doug., Linn. Trans., xvl,, |). 141.
Rbskmhi.ixg very closely the Dnsky Gronse, the present species would probably be considered by an ordinary obsei'vcr as identical with
that bird ; yet it presents clinractois which vary from its ally, and which are constant, and of suflicicut value to constitute a specific
distinctness.
Ricliardsou’s Grouse is strictly a mountain species, never, to my knowledge, having been observed on tlic ¡ilains, and in its habits
presents no material difTerence from its relative. I t is an inhabitant of the Rocky Momitains, and is found from the South Pass nortliward,
Tlio most striking diffcrciiec between this species and the Dendi'ugapus Obscurus, is in, having the tail square at the tip, of a uniform
blnck througbout its length, and being entirely destitute of the ashy tormina! band so conspicuous in its ally.
Audubon figures this species, in the “ Birds of America,” hiulcr tlic name of Tetrao Obscurus, but speaks of one specimen in bis possession
which had the tail considerably rounded, of a deep black, with a teriniiml band of ash-gray. lie did not consider tliesc as
different, but accounted for the variation by supposing “ th a t ivhcn tho tail is unworn it is distinctly rounded, and tipped ivitli gray."
Tliis does nut a|ipcar to mo to be tlic case, us tho tails of, the specimens before me present no indication of being worn away a t tlie
tip, and tlio feathers arc broader than those of its relative,
Tlie upper parts of tlic male arc grayi.sli brown mottled with iiglit bi'owii; in some specimens tliis mottling is wanting, tlie feathers
being of a iiniforin color: u[ipcr tail coverts tipped with gray. M’iiigs light brownish gray mottled witli bi-own, the secondaries margined
witli ivhitish; primaries light brown. Head, neck, breast, and .abdomen lead color, Cliin and throat white, irregularly crossed with
blnck. Patch of feathers before the wing white. Flanks bluish gray, many of the featlicrs tipped with wliitc. Tail black, sqiiai-c at
the tip, and inclining to brownish on the outer webs, Under coverts dark liroivii broadly margined ivitli wliitc. Tbiglis and tnr.si pale
brov'ii faintly mottled ivitli a darker bioivn. Bill black. Feet brown.
I'lio female has the upper parts lightov than tho male, coi'crcd « ith bars and blotolics of blackish bi'o«'ii. Head and neck grayish,
similarly crossed with broivii. IVings rufous brown mottled with blackish, some of tlio feathers having a central wliitc streak. I’vlinaries
light brow'll, tho outer webs mottled with yeliowisli brown; secondaries inavgiiicd witli grayisli white. Throat and iii-ca.st ovos.scd with
dark broAvn. Under parts lighter than the male, with considerable wbitc intci-miiiglod. Tail black, the central fcatlicis mottled like the
back. Under coi'Crts dark brown mavgiiied with wliitc. Bill black. Fcathei's of tho legs light brown.
Over tho eyes of both sexes is an orange-colored membi'aiic.
Tho plate represents a male and female, the latter reduced in size.