ble with certainty from those of the Bob-white, but average
longer. Size 1.25 x .95.

297. DUSKY GROUSE. _Dendragapus obscurus obscurus._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region from central Montana south to New Mexico.

With the exception of the Sage Grouse, this species is the largest of
the family, being about 20 inches in length. The general tone of its
plumage below is gray; above, blackish gray and the tail blackish with a
broad terminal band of light gray. They frequent the wooded and
especially the coniferous districts, where they build their nests under
fallen trees or at the bases of standing ones. They lay from six to ten
eggs of a buffy color, sparsely spotted and blotched with brownish. Size
2.00 x 1.40.

297a. SOOTY GROUSE. _Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus._

Range.--Mountain ranges along the Pacific coast from California to
British Columbia.

Like the last, this somewhat darker sub-species is met with in timbered
regions, where its habits are about the same as those of the Ruffled
Grouse, except, of course, that they are not nearly as shy as the Grouse
in New England. Their eggs are laid in hollows beside stumps or under
logs. The eggs are buff colored, spotted with reddish brown. Size 2.00 x
1.40.

[Illustration 180: Mearns Partridge.]
[Illustration: Rich buff.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 179

297b. RICHARDSON'S GROUSE. _Dendragapus obscurus richardsoni._

Range.--Northern Rocky Mountains from central Montana to British
Columbia.

A dark variety with no terminal band of gray on the tail. Its habits,
nesting and eggs are precisely like those of the preceding species.

298. HUDSONIAN SPRUCE PARTRIDGE. _Canachites canadensis canadensis._

Range.--Northern United States and southern British Provinces; west to
Minnesota.

A dark species, smaller than the last (15 inches long), and easily
recognized by its black throat and extensive black patch on the breast.
The habits of this species and the two varieties into which it has been
sub-divided are the same; as a species, they are very tame, will not fly
unless actually obliged to, and frequently allow themselves to be
knocked down with sticks. Their nests are hollows in the leaves on the
ground, generally under the sheltering branches of a low spreading fir
tree. The six to fifteen eggs are a bright buff color, blotched and
spotted boldly with various shades of brown. Size 1.70 x 1.25.

298b. ALASKA SPRUCE