220 



FOOD HABITS AM) RE(^LIREME\TS 



The variety of choice also differs markedly. On an average, the 15 most used foods supplied 

 a little over three-fourths of the volume of all food eaten. From 1931 through 1934 they 

 dropped to less than two-thirds, while in 1940 they provided the astonishing amount of 92 

 per cent of the bulk for that year. Food from the birches was found most consistently, while 

 the volume of aspen taken varied all the way from 1.6 to 25.9 per cent. 



Variations in Diet Throughout the Range 



No matter how carefully food habits research may be carried on in one region, much can be 

 learned by comparing the results with those obtained elsewhere. This is not always possible, 

 however, for records are occasionally gathered without reference to age of the birds or sea- 



TABLE 30. A COMPARISON OF THE VOLU.METllIC PERCENTAGES OK FALL FOODS 

 CHOSEN BY ADULT GROUSE IN NEW YORK WITH THAT REPORTED 

 FROM OTHER PARTS OF ITS HWGE* 



*Data as to the number of slomacha examined and the period of collection ou which tlieac ligurcs are based are given in table 20. 



page 184. 

 ATlie ligiirrH in this coltiniii luivr bi'cn pr*"piire(I by uvcrugirig Ihf ptTcrnlages (sri' .\pp(Mi<lix. page 707). in iirdtr In rii;iL<' rli.'in 



coniparnhlf Ut those listed iti the other studies. They are not to he confnsed with those listed elsewhere in the lexl- 

 tLcHS than 0.1 |M'r cent. 

 JNol recorde<l. 



sonal differences. No standard nicllmd of presenting the results has been adopted. Studies 

 of specimens sufhcienl in number to warrent coinparisdris ha\e been made in other parts of 

 the grouse range for only the fall months. To faiililalc aiial\sis. table 30 lists the most im- 

 portant (by bulk I fall foixis of New Yurk grouse, ttigcliicr uilli those most outstanding in 

 four other regions. 



As one studies this table the facts derived thfrcficmi are reassuring. Foods nun li xuiglil in 

 one part are likely to be taken by grouse in other parts of the range. Variations in incidence 

 and in bulk consumed are so wide, however, even between adjoining regions, as to make it im- 

 practical to appl\ strictK to other regions conclusions valid in any one section. The reason 



