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GANACE CANADENSIS. E e t c ï ï ,
SPRUCE GROUSE.
TETRAO CANADENSIS. Limi., Syst. Nat., vol. i., p. 274- (176C).—Foret., Plùl. Tran.s., Ixii. p. 389 (1772).—Gmcl., vol i„ p, 749 (178£
Zoül, Appeii., Frank. E.xp., p. 083.—Bon., Syii., p. 127 (1828).—Ib., Ain, Ornitli., vol. iii., pl. xxi, fig, 2 (1828).—Ib., Am. Pliil.
Trans,, vol iii., N, S., p. 391 (1830),—Sw. & Rich., Faun. Bor. Amor., vol. ii., p. 340 (1831) pi. Ixii.—Aud., Ornith. Biog.,
vol. ii., p. 437 (1834).—lb., Syn., p. 203.—lb.. Birds of Amor., vol. v,, p. 83, p i 294 (1842).—0 . K. Gray, Gcu. of Birds, vol
iii,—Baird, Bii-ds of Anicr., p. 022 (1860).
CANACE CANADENSIS. Reich., Av. Syst. Nat., 1851, Type.—Bon., Comptes Rendus, xlv., p, 428 (1857).—Elliot, Proceed. Acad. Nat,
Scion. (1804).
TETRAO CANACE. Linn., Syst, Nat,, vol. i., p. 275 (1700).
BLACK SPOTTED IIEATHCOCK. Edw-., pi, cxviii.
SPOITEI) GROUSE. Penn.
LA GELINOTE NOIRE D’AMERIQUE. Cnv. Rdg. Anim., vol. i., p. 449.
ScATTBRED thi’oughout the northern United States to the Arctic Sea, and ivcstAvnvd nearly to the Rocky Mountains, this Gronse is
fonnd amid tiie solitudes of tho spruce forests or swamps, making its home amid their dcciiest recesses, where man rarely, intrudes, or
whore, from the depth of the treacherous mos,s, which covcr.s the .swamp with a mantle of green, ho i.s unable to pass. The Black Partridge,
by which name this bird is somctimc.s known, is generally tame and unsuspicious, and, unlike the majority of the menibci’s of this
family, docs not seem to stand much in dread of man’s presence. They are ca.sily tamed, and ajijicar to hear continemcnt well, readily
feeding upon oats, wheat, and other kinds of grain. Tlicy commence to lirecd in tlio United States about tlie middle of May, and
farther north nearly a month later. The female conceals her nest, which is composed of leaves and mos.s, under the drooping branches
of tlic fir tree, and lays from ten to fourteen eggs, of a deep buff color, spotted with brown.
The males leave tlic females a t tlic commencement of incubation, and betake themselves to a different part of tlic forest, and remain
there until late in autumn, wlicii they join the females and yonug. During the period tliat tlicy arc thus alone, they arc more shy and
wary tlian a t any otiier season of tlie year. In the spring the males strut before tliciv mates witli the tail expanded to its utmost
extent, and wings lowered to the ground ; a t intervals springing into the air and beating tlioir sides. A.s an article of food, the flcsli of tliis
Grouse is dark'and disagreeable, being frequently so bitter as to render it unfit to eat; altliougli I believe tlicy arc more palatable ivhen
they feed solely on berries.
The chicks rojircscntcd in tiic plate were obtained for iiic In Maine by Mr. Geo. A. Boardmaii, a gentleman much devoted to the
science of ornithology. They were taken by the Indians cm|iloycd by iny friend, who wore compelled to exercise considei'able [laticnco in
thcii' capture, for tlic.se young arc so iiiinblo and rapiil in tlieir moi'omcnts, and hide so cxjiortly at the fust warning note from the
female, th a t it is no easy niattcv to catch them ; the diflicnlty of ]iursuit being greatly increased by the density of the forests they inhabit,
and tlic slippery, miry nature of tlic gi-ound, into which a man, if not very cautious, would fi-cqnently sink to his waist.
Tlic usual appearance of the male is as rcprc.scntcd in tlic ¡date, but I have specimens in iny cabinet wbich have almost tlio entire
breast black. This may possibly be tlic result of age. When this species is started, it generally llics but a short distance, and takes
refuge in some thick spnico tree, whore it will remain motionles.«, watching its pursuer, and is easily shot upon its perch.
Tlic male may bo described as follows:
Upper purls plnmboons gray, cacli fcatlier crossed with bar.s of black parallel to each o the r; wings and flanks reddish broivii,
mottled similarly to tlie back ; secondaries tipjicd iritli s'clloivisli ivliitc ; primaries dark bi'own, tlio enter edges mottled with yellowish
brown; upper tail coverts lighter than tlic buck, mottled with black, and ti|)pcd nitli gray. Throat and pectoral band black; tlie
fonnov edged with n white band—a white mark also before tlic eye; under parts wliite, crossed irregularly witli black ; tail dark brown,
witli a terminal band of orange cbcstmit; under tail coverts black, bavred and tipped with wbitc; bill black; legs covered with liairy
foathcre of a ycllo'vish brown ; feet brown.
The female is much lighter tlmii tlio male, u))pcv parts similarly barred nitli black, but mixed ivitli oi-aiige ; flanks, sides of tlie neck,
and wings brownish orange, crossed with black, the leathers of the wings having a central streak of white widening a t the fip ; primaries
and secoiiilai'ies brown, marked on tlic outer edge ivitli yellowish brown : throat }'clIo«Ish «lute ; centre of abdtiiiicn «'hite, barred
wilh black ; tail dark brown, crossed « ith live or six i-o«s of reddish orange, ami broailly tipped with the same; feathers of the thighs
mid tarsi yellowish brown; bill lilaeki.sli brown; feet brown. Over tho eyes of both se.xc.s, a eoiispicuons vermilion membrane.
The young arc of a lemon yellow, darker on tlio breast; a black bar tlirongli the eye; top of liead and wings nifons brown,
irregularly mnrkod with black ; upper mandible blnck : lon er, light born color; feet pale flesh color.
My plate contains the first rcprcsciitations of these that have been given.