FALCIPENNIS IIAKTLyVUBII. E l l i o t .
SIBERIAN SPRUCE GROUSE.
TETRAO CANADENSIS, vak FRANKLINII. MkUleii., Sibcr. Reis., band, ü., tlioil, 2.
TETRAO FALCIPENNIS. Hart,, Jonrn. fiir Oriiitli., vol. iii, (1835), p, 30.
FALCIPENNIS HAKTLAUBII. Elliot, Proc. Acad. Nat. ScicD. (1864).
Tills species was discovered by Middcndorf, who desovbicd it in the work rcfen'cd to aboi’c, as Tctrao Canadensis, believing it to be the same
as our Spruce Gronse; bat Dr. Hartlaub obtaining some spcoiinons, a t once perceived tliem to be dilTcreiit, and named it Tetrao Falcipcimis.
Middcndorf says; “ I first saw this bird on tlio Ujau, that is, right among the steep spurs of the Stanowaj Monntaiiis, I t is of very frequent
occurrence on tliesc slopes, and particularly in tlie neighborhood of üdskoj-Astróg.”
"From this region, the first intelligence of tliis bird was received as narrated by Stcllev, according to whom, it was called by tlic inhabitants
of Takontsk tlic wood-cock of the mountains.’’
« » * » < ; Our bird occurs on tlio entire sontliern coast of the sea of Ooliotsk, and also all over the Stanoivaj Mountains, and even over
tlic Southern slopes of the same as far as the region of the Sliilka. Thus, this wood-licii is found on the Tiski, on tlio sources of tlio Kil6, aud
even on the middle portion of the course of the U r ; although it is not seen on the Lima or on the Oldo, wiiicli may bo considered as forming its
most sonthcrn limit."
"Ho'V far nortli this species may bo found is iiukuown to me, but AVosiicsonky met this bird near Ajan, and I conversed witli inhabitants of
Yakutsk who had seen it on the road botwceu Y'akntsk and Oohotsk.”
This Grouse bears some resemblance to the Canacc Franklinii, but lias many characters to di.stinguisli it from that species, as a glance at
tlic plate will testify; but it differs from tlic members of the gciins Canacc, by having the first four p r i ma r i e s , t l i i s being tiio sole instance
among the Gallinaceous birds where this peonUarity is fonnd, e.xccpting the species of tlio gcnns Ponciopo.
As this is such a very marked aiiil unusual occurrence, I have deemed it woi-tliy in this instance of generic distinctness, and liave therefore
proposed the term Fa!ci))cniiis; aud in compliment to the eminent oniitliologist ivho first detected this bird as of a distinct species, liavc given to
t the name llartlaubii, wliicli I sincerely trust it may alivays be permitted to bcai-.
The very spirited drawing of Paleipciinis llavthviibii, which adorns this work, is the production of Mr. Wolf’s pencil, aud gives a perfect
ropvcscntatlon of the bird in its native wilds.
Tlic female, as described by Jliddcndorf, bears sonic resemblance to that of Canadensis, but “ has the yellow of the throat and upper part of
the breast more extended and spotted like tlic back, and is 'vitliout tlie brown sjiots on the end of tho tail."