Sp. Char. In pattern of coloration exactly similar to umbellus, but colors different. Rufous tints almost wholly replaced by gray, the ground-color of the tail always fine light ash. Neck-tufts deep glossy-black.
Hab. Rocky Mountains of the United States, and interior of British America, from Alaska (on the Yukon) to Canada, where grading into var. umbellus.
Habits. In regard to the habits of this variety we have no information. It was found by Mr. Drummond among the Rocky Mountains, near the sources of the tributaries of the Saskatchewan. He states that those he met with were at least one third smaller than the umbellus, had a much grayer plumage and a shorter ruffle. He regarded it as a distinct species from the common Partridge, which he also encountered in the same locality.
Mr. Ridgway met with this variety on the Wahsatch Mountains in October and during the summer. It was known in that locality as the Pine Hen, in distinction from the T. obscurus, which was known as the Mountain Grouse.
The eggs of this variety measure 1.62 inches in length by 1.20 in breadth. Their ground-color is a deep uniform cream, darker than in the umbellus. They are occasionally marked with dark tints of the same.
Bonasa umbellus, var. sabini, Douglas.
THE OREGON GROUSE.
Tetrao sabini, Douglas, Trans. Linn. Soc. XVI, 1829, 137.—Rich. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 343. ? Tetrao umbellus, Rich. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 342.—Newberry, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route, Rep. P. R. R. Surv. VI, IV, 1857, 94. Bonasa sabini, Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 631.—Cooper & Suckley, 224.—Elliot, P. A. N. S. 1864.—Ib. Monog. Tetraon.—Lord, Pr. R. A. I. IV, 123 (Br. Col.).—Gray, Cat. Brit. Mus. V, 1867, 89.—Dall & Bannister, Tr. Chicago Ac. I, 1869, 287 (Alaska coast).—Cooper, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 540.
Sp. Char. Similar to var. umbellus, but much darker. The rufous tints almost castaneous, and the dusky markings larger. Length, about 18.00; wing, 7.30; tail, 6.70.
Hab. Coast Mountains of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.