Subgenus DENDRAGAPUS, Elliot.
Dendragapus, Elliot, P. A. N. S. Philad. 1864. (Type, Tetrao obscurus, Say.)
Gen. Char. Tail of twenty feathers, rounded, rather large (about two thirds the wing); the feathers broad to the tips, which are almost truncated. A colored (orange or yellow) “comb” of naked skin over the eye, and an inflatable air-sac on side of the neck. No crest or other unusual plumes about the head or neck.
19159 ⅓ ⅓
Tetrao obscurus.
Species and Varieties.
C. obscurus. Above nearly uniform plumbeous-dusky, minutely mottled on the wings. Tail uniform black, with or without a lighter terminal band, and sometimes finely and obscurely mottled above. Lower parts nearly uniform clear plumbeous, or blackish-dusky; a dusky half-collar on the throat; chin and throat white, variegated with dusky. Length, about 20.50; wing, 9.40; tail, 7.45. Female smaller, the colors more variegated, with the dusky less continuous, and less in amount.
A. Tail rounded, with a distinct terminal band of clear plumbeous.