DIET 



199 



These families contain many of the pioneer species which fill in old meadows, pastures, or 

 slashings. Several of the species contributing to grouse food as the blackberry, cherry, sum- 

 ach, viburnum and aspen, are among the most common and widespread of northeastern woody 

 plants. Within each family are from one to a dozen species which, under the right condi- 

 tions of time and place, may furnish large quantities of buds, leaves, fruits or seeds on 

 which many of the grouse examined have fed. Let us then look into these families a bit. 



The Rose Family. One of the most common and important of these families is the rose 

 group (Rosaceae). During warm weather, strawberries, raspberries, sedges and aspen are 

 the most commonly sought after food species. Of these, the first two belong to this family. In 

 the late spring and early summer, leaves and fruits of strawberry (Fragaria) are prime 

 foods for both young and adults in all parts of the State. A chick collected in the Southern 

 Tier in July contained 1,650 seeds; in another from the Adirondacks. shot during the same 

 month, were found 2,100 seeds. Adults likewise relish strawberries, as is evidenced by a 

 Catskill bird which had eaten fruits sufficient to provide the more than 6,000 seeds that were 

 found in its crop and gizzard. 



By the time the strawberry moon wanes, the raspberry and blackberry iRuhus) season is 

 approaching and the birds take full advantage of it. These plants are also members of the 

 family Rosaceae. It is not uncommon U> find in excess of 2,000 seeds, representing some 30 

 fruits in a summer crop (and gizzard) of either chick or adult. One youngster collected in 

 July in the Catskills contained .3.160 seeds. What their appetites may bo when they grow up 

 is indicated by the meal of a summer bird from Tompkins County in which more than 8,000 

 seeds (120 fruits) in the gizzard and 2.'i fruits in the cro|) were counted. In captivity. 108 red 

 raspberries were consumed within half an hour by one individual less than three months old. 

 Occasionally dried fruits, as well as leaves and buds, arc taken throughout the fall and winter 

 months until April. 



Products of cherries (Primus), probably arc the most consistently sought of all those of 

 the rose family. The hard seeds are picked up throughout the year. As soon as the light 

 red fruits of ])in cherry and the darker drupes of choke and of wild black cherries become 

 available the grouse seeks them out; in one October bird 180 of the first-named were found. 

 In September the wine-red juice of the wild black cherry may impart its color to the entire 

 crop contents. Later the buds are very attractive. 1.400 being recorded from a February 

 bird collected in St. Lawrence County (N.Y.). The leaves, however, are entirely neglected. 



Although not so widespread in grouse covers, as some of the native plants, the apple 

 (Malus) is utilized the year around. Young birds raised in captivity at the Research Center 

 seemed to prefer ai)|)le leaves to any others offered tliciu. According to sloinach analyses. 



