208 FOOD HABITS AM) REQUIREMENTS 



vine long after fruits of other species have vanished, the family ranks eleventh on the list of 

 important fall food producers. Only two birds consumed large amounts. One, shot October 

 18, had eaten 64 fruits of the frost grape along with 58 seeds of witch-hazel (Hamainelis 

 virginiana). Another, collected near Canandaigua in the dead of winter had a real feast. 

 Counted in its crop and gizzard were 135 frost grapes, as well as seven other plants and four 

 wasps. 



Little attention is usuallv paid to the Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia) which 

 may drop its smaller blue berries from October 'till February. 



The Grass Family. The seeds, and occasionally the blades, of grasses (Gramineae) are 

 not overlooked. They supply nourishment largely during the summer months. Best liked are 

 the manna grasses { Glycerin). Seeds of G. striata numbering 4,0.50 were found in the crop 

 of one bird collected July 28. The reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) also supplies 

 seeds that are well received, as do the blue grasses (Poa). Blades of the latter are occasion- 

 ally taken. In fact, grass blades furnish a small but constant source of food throughout the 

 year. 



The Buttercup Family. Much earlier in the season, perhaps in late spring or early sum- 

 mer, some of the better known spring flowers, belonging to the buttercup family (Ranun- 

 culaceae), come in for their share of attention, especially from the chicks. Seeds of the 

 buttercups (Ranunculus) are prime favorites, while the leaves, flowers and sometimes the 

 seeds of the liverleaf (Hepalica) and the dainty anemones (Anemone) are taken. In the 

 swamps, under the hemlocks and along old stumps they find the goldthread (Coptis trijolia) 

 and sample its seeds. 



The Madder Family. There is one plant that has been so closely associated with the grouse 

 as to be named after it — the partridge-berry (Mitchella repens). It belongs to the madder 

 family (Rubiaceae), of which the only other members known to be patronized are the bed- 

 straws (Galium). The small evergreen leaves and pert twin berries certainly must be at- 

 tractive, for one out of every five of the "patridges" examined had been feeding on the plant 

 named after them, most frequently on the fruits. However, only small quantities seem to be 

 taken at a time, and they fail to rank high as a source of food at any season except sum- 

 mer. But in the minds of most old hunters partridge-berries and partridge woods are so closely 

 associated as to habitat that the question of how much of the plant itself is really sought out 

 is. after all, not of major importance. 



The Legume Family. Members of the legume family (Leguminosae) furnish some of our 

 best bird feed. Where abundant, as on Michigan woods roads, while clover (Trijolium repens) 

 is relished in the fall. The birds also lake red clover (T. pralense) when it occurs in their 

 coverts"". Best liked of all the clovers in Wisconsin is the widely naturalized alsike (T. hy- 

 hridunij which, according to Chaddock"' makes up 38 per cent of the fall food. The grouse, 

 however, do not care nmch for the tick trefoils ( Dcsniodium ), the fruits of which often stick 

 in the hunter's clothing. Likewise, the hard-shelled hliuk locust ( Robinia pseudo-acacia) seeds 

 appear to be but seldom eaten. 



The Jewel-Weed Family. Seeds, and rarely the leaves, of the touch-me-not (Impatiens 

 hijlora) are the fourth most favored August chick food and rank eighth with the summer 

 adults. They are members of the jewel-weed family ( Balsaminaceae), found commonly on 

 central and southern New York's moist, shaly soils. 



These, then, are the 20 most patronized ])lant families. But there are a number of others 

 which under the right conditions may supply food more frequently than those of some higher 



