spruce hen

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

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a grouse, Canachites canadensis, dark gray barred with black, found in swampy woods.

Quotations

1913

Spring and fall we shot many ducks and geese, and in early winter grouse, spruce hens, and ptarmigan. . . .

1959

I had to confess that I had not seen the spruce hen until the shot bird came tumbling out of the tree.