_Tétrao franklini_, DOUGLAS, Trans. Linn. Soc. XVI, 1829, 139.—RICH.
F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 348, pl. lxi.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858,
623.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 1864, 123 (between Rocky Mountains
and Cascades).—GRAY, Cat. Brit. Mus. 1867, 86.—COOPER & SUCKLEY,
261.—COOP. Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 529. _Tetrao canadensis_, var. BONAP.
Am. Orn. III, 1830, 47, pl. xx. _? Tetrao fusca_, ORD. Guthrie’s
Geog. (2d Am. ed.) II, 1815, 317. (Based on small brown Pheasant of
Lewis & Clark, II, 182, which very probably is this species.) _Canace
franklini_, ELLIOT, P. A. N. S. 1864.—IB. Monog. Tetraon. pl.
SP. CHAR. Similar to _C. canadensis_, but with the tail-feathers
entirely black, without orange-brown terminal band; the upper
tail-coverts broadly tipped with white. The tail less rounded. Wing,
7.35; tail, 5.62.
_Hab._ Northern Rocky Mountains, near the United States boundary, and
west to Coast Range.
The difference from _canadensis_ is very appreciable, though we
cannot consider it as of specific importance. This consists chiefly
in the rather longer, more even tail, with broader feathers, which
are pure black instead of very dark brown, and entirely without the
orange terminal band. The white streaks on the scapulars are larger
terminally, and much more conspicuous, and the upper tail-coverts are
conspicuously barred terminally with white, not seen in the other. The
female differs from that of _canadensis_ in the white bars at the ends
of the tail-coverts, and in having the tail-feathers tipped with whitish
instead of orange-brown.
[Illustration: _C. franklini._]
[Illustration: _C. canadensis._]
HABITS. From the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, and from Oregon to high
northern latitudes, this variety replaces the common Spruce Partridge
of the Eastern Continent. Sir John Richardson, as well as Mr. Drummond,
regarded these birds as only a western variety of the _canadensis_. The
latter, who had ample opportunities for studying the manners of both,
was unable to perceive any difference between them. Mr. Douglas took a
different view, though he admitted that their habits were essentially
the same. Swainson also regarded the two birds as distinct species. This
variety is stated by Richardson to inhabit the valleys of the Rocky
Mountains, from the sources of the Missouri to those of the Mackenzie;
and on the authority of Mr. Douglas, it is also to be seen sparingly
on the elevated platforms that skirt the snowy peaks of Mount Hood,
Mount St. Helens, and of Mount Baker, where it is said to run over
the shattered rocks and among the brushwood with amazing speed, only
using its wings as a last effort to escape. Mr. Douglas also states
that it makes its nest on the ground, of dried leaves and grass, not
unfrequently at the foot of decayed stumps, or by the side of fallen
timber in the mountain woods. The eggs are incorrectly described as of
a dingy whiteness and as smaller than those of the European _Columba
palumbus_.
Dr. Suckley found this Grouse abundant in the Rocky as well as in the
Bitterroot and the Cascade Mountains, and in Washington Territory, near
the Yakima Passes. It is known to the Indians as the _Tyee-kulla-kulla_,
meaning the _gentleman-bird_. It was only found plentiful in the eastern
portion of Washington Territory. Specimens of this species, sent by
Dr. Suckley to the Smithsonian Institution, were procured by Mullan in
St. Mary’s Valley, in the Rocky Mountains. They were quite common in
that region, and were readily obtainable, as they were very tame and
unsuspicious. Mr. George Gibbs informed Dr. Suckley that in November,
1847, he obtained in the Willamette Valley a small Grouse that may
probably be referred to this species.
Mr. Lord thinks that this species is rarely found west of the Cascades;
but on the eastern side and along the whole district lying between the
Cascades and the Rocky Mountains it is common, always keeping among the
mountains, to the height of seven thousand feet. He regards them as one
of the most stupid of birds. When several are flushed together, they
fly up into the nearest pine-tree, from which you cannot frighten them
with sticks and stones. He has often shot several in a tree where there
were others without the latter attempting to fly away. During the winter
they remain in the deep woods and sheltered places, and feed on the buds
of the pines. They nest in early May, and have chickens in June and
July. He was of the opinion that these birds do not pair; but from the
large number of females, as compared with the males, he thinks they are
polygamists.
Captain Blakiston considers this variety to be confined to the Rocky
Mountains and the country between that range and the Pacific. He met
with it for the first time while following an Indian trail through a
thick pine woods, from the summit of the Kootenay Pass into the valley
of the Flathead River. The bird arose and perched itself on a projecting
branch, when he was at once struck with the dissimilarity to the Canada
Grouse, which was made still more apparent by the whiteness of its
flesh. Afterwards he procured other specimens. He describes them as
being quite as unsuspicious and stupid as the Canada Grouse, allowing
themselves to be shot on the trees without making any attempt to escape.