Food and Water 



Types of Food Utilized. Within tlie limits of its physical ability 

 the rufiFed grouse may be said to be practically omnivorous in its 

 food habits. Vegetable foods of nearly all types are taken: leaves, 

 buds, twigs, fruits, seeds, flowers. Its animal foods are more restricted 

 in type due to the size and structure of the bird; insects and other 

 related invertebrates are about the only forms it can readily catch 

 and handle. Within these limitations almost any kind of insect, 

 spider, or similar type is accepted. 



Winter 



Spring 



Summer 



SEASON 



Fig. 6. Seasonal Utilization of Food by Adxilt Ru£Fed Grouse According to Type 

 of Food (Northeastern States) 



For purposes of simplification we may include all animal foods 

 as one type, twigs and buds as another, flowers and leaves as tlie 

 third, with seeds and fruits as the fourth. Thus arranged, the sea- 

 sonal food habits of the adult grouse according to type of food are 

 given graphically in Fig. 6. 



101 



