(Bonasa umbellus togata)
The Canadian ruffed grouse ranges through the eastern side of the
Cascade mountains of Oregon and Washington, but does not pass over to
the Pacific side. It resembles the Oregon ruffed grouse very closely
except that it is much lighter in color, and the female either lacks
the tufts of feathers on the neck entirely, or where present, they are
very small. Like the Oregon species it is a dweller in the heavy
timber, and follow the same habits in most all respects. It is of a
more confiding nature, however, often sitting unconcerned upon a tree
while several of its companions are being shot, making no effort to
get away or save itself from the same fate.
=Color=--The color of this species is more of a grayish brown than the
Oregon species, and lacking that rich chestnut that adds so much to
the beauty of the latter. The brown markings, however, are possibly a
little more conspicuous. The upper tail feathers are more of a blue,
mottled and barred with a blackish brown. A large tuft of feathers on
each side of the neck of a smoky brown, edged with metallic green.
Unlike the Oregon species these feathers are entirely absent or very
small on the female.
=Nest and Eggs=--The nest and eggs are the same as the Oregon grouse.
=Measurements=--In size the two species do not vary to any
considerable extent.