PARTRIDGE. _Canachites canadensis osgoodi._

Range.--Alaska.

This variety is practically the same as the preceding, the birds not
always being distinguishable; the nest and eggs are the same as the
Canada Grouse.

298c. Canada Spruce Partridge. _Canachites canadensis canace._

Range.--Labrador and the Hudson Bay region.

Like the last, this variety is hardly to be distinguished from the
Hudsonian. Its nesting habits and eggs are the same.

[Illustration 181: Bright buff.]
[Illustration: Sooty Grouse. Spruce Grouse.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 180

299. FRANKLIN'S GROUSE. _Canachites franklin franklini._

Range.--Northwestern United States and British Columbia.

This species is very similar to the Canada Grouse, the most apparent
difference being the absence of the brownish gray tip to the tail, and
the upper coverts are broadly tipped with white. This species, which is
very abundant in the northwest, has the same stupid habits of the
eastern bird. During the mating season, the males of both this and the
preceding species have the same habit of "drumming" that the Ruffed
Grouse has. Their nests are placed on the ground under bushes or fir
trees and from eight to fifteen eggs are laid. These are brownish buff
in color, spotted and blotched with rich brown. They are very similar to
the eggs of the Canada Grouse. Data.--Moberly Peak, Cascade Mts.,
British Columbia, June 9, 1902. 7 eggs in a slight hollow on the ground.
Collector, G. F. Dippie.

300. RUFFED GROUSE. _Bonasa umbellus umbellus._

Range.--Eastern United States from Minnesota to New England; south to
Virginia.

The Ruffed Grouse is "King of the Game Birds" in the east, where it has
been hunted so freely, that it has become very wary and requires a
skillful marksman to bring it down. Because of the cutting off of all
heavy timber, and the vigor with which they are pursued by hunters, they
are becoming very scarce in New England, and within a few years they
will probably be practically extinct in that section. Their favorite
resorts are heavily timbered woods or low growth birches. Their nests
are hollows in the leaves under fallen trees, beside some stump or
concealed among the small shoots at the base of a large tree. The bird
sits very close, but when she does fly, goes with the familiar rumble
and roar which always disconcerts the novice, the wind created by her
sudden flight generally causing the leave