GROUSE. Among the sub-families of that known as Tetraonidce, the grouse sub-family is a most important one from the value of the flesh of the species. North America is conceded to contain more species of this valuable game bird than any other country in the world. It is more than probable that America is in this respect superior to all other countries, since the cock of the plains rivals in size, that of any country. The principal species of American grouse are as follows. Cock of the plains (Centrocercus urophasianus), found on the far Western plains, the males weighing sometimes from six to seven pounds. The Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), is abundant North, South and West, and is comrnonly known as the partridge and also pheasant. Sabines grouse (B. Sobinei), found west of the Rocky mountains, is deep red in hue, as to the ground work of the feathers, and the excellence of its flesh is fully equal to the last named. The Allied grouse (B. umbel loides), inhabits the Rocky mountains, and north to the Arctic circle, is light gray in color, differently marked from the Eastern partridge, and is much smaller. The Prairie hen—pinnated grouse—(Cupidonia cupido), was forinerly abund ant from the Atlantic coast to Kansas. It is now nearly or quite extinct East, and not nearly as abundant West as formerly, except in Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas. Great numbers are killed yearly and sent to Eastern and European markets. The Sharp-tail grouse (Pedioccetes col umbrianus), takes the place of the pinnated grouse in the far West, and in its habits and the nature of its flesh resembles the prairie hen. The
Arctic Sharp-tailed grouse (P. phasianellus), is a native of the far north, never being found with in the limits of the United States. The three last named species are however said to be fertile together, the hybrids partaking sometimes more of one and sometimes more of the other parent. The Dusky grouse (Dendragapus obseura), is equal in size to the cock of the plains. It is a magnificent, white-fieshed bird, found in NOrth ern California, and north into Oregon and Washington Territory, and south along the main chain of the Rocky mountains, as far as Texas. Richardson's grouse (Dendragapus Rich. ardsonii), differs from the foregoing, though sometimes confounded with it. This species is found from the South pass of the Rocky moun tains, northward, and along the slopes as far as the forests extend. It is never found upon the plains. The Spruce grouse (Canaee Canadensis), inhabits the northern portion of the United States, and thence far north, even to the Arctic seas. Its home is in the thick forests, and swamps, and thus it is seldom met, unless specially lipinted fo-. Franklin's grouse (Canace FranklinA), is a native of the Rocky mountains, from latitude 50° to 54° on the high elevations forming the base of the snowy peaks. It was formerly considered the same as the Spruce grouse, but it differs in several points, and is a species by itself.