FEEDING HABITS 



191 



Variety of Choice 



Perhaps the "pick-up" habit has something to do with the bewildering variety one finds 

 in analyzing grouse crops and gizzards. Certainly this species is one of our most omnivo- 

 rous game birds, for no fewer than 580 animal and 414 plant items have been identified from 

 New York State grouse alone. From one summer bird, 45 separate items were determined. 

 Although the average bird feeds upon a more varied diet during the summer than at any 

 other time of year, there seems to be no period in which a considerable choice is not avail- 

 able. Even in the teeth of a hard Adirondack winter, one grouse found 16 different items. 

 However, the average for 90 birds collected in this region in winter over a period of years 

 was only 4.6 items each. The seasonal and regional variation in number of food items is 

 indicated in table 22. 



TABLK 22. SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE NUMBER OF FOOD ITEMS PER INDIVIDUAL 

 CROP AND GIZZARD TAKEN BY GROUSE IN NEW YORK 



In spring Nature sets a more varied table for the chicks. One active youngster in June, 

 succeeded in catching 34 different insects and feeding on seven different plants. Fewer in- 

 sects are taken in July and by August the menu of the young approximates that of the brood 

 leader, the mother, in lessened variety if not as yet in increased bulk. 



As the observant hunter knows, grouse take a toll of many things in its environment. 

 Buds, twigs, fruits, berries, seeds, grains (particularly buckwheat), flowers, leaves, stems and 

 even roots, are all eaten as fancy dictates. It is proper to call these birds budders. browsers, 

 berry-pickers, seed eaters, leaf-clippers and even grain-gleaners, and they may be all six on 

 many a feeding da> . Nor do they find a smaller array of food items among the animals, 

 for eggs, larvae, cocoons, pupae, nymphs and adult insects, as well as insect allies, such 

 as spiders, all are fair game to the hungry grouse. 



Under stress of circumstances, some unusual items may be taken. There are at least five 



