Food and Water 115 



sujBBcieiit information concerning the use of the different species to 

 warrant any comparisons of degree of use. Parts of these plants are 

 usually identified only to genus. 



Seasonal importance: Most important as a summer and fall food, 

 reaching greatest use in summer by both adults and chicks. Utiliza- 

 tion begins with the growth of the new leaves in the spring and 

 continues until seeds are gone and leaves dried up in the fall. 



Parts used: Seeds and leaves; leaves from spring through fall, 

 seeds in summer and fall. 



Geographical importance: Since the seeds and leaves of sedges 

 are only important from spring to early fall, it is not surprising to 

 find only small quantities recorded in the majority of food studies— 

 those made of fall and winter specimens. However, records are 

 available from Canada to Virginia, even in late fall stomachs. It 

 seems likely that Carex is an important spring and summer food 

 throughout the region as it is in New York, especially for the young 

 birds. 



Of more than two hundred recognized species of Carex, repre- 

 sentations of only seven have been specifically identified, five in 

 New England by Gross, one in New York by Smyth, and one by 

 Judd. However, it is likely that many species are taken by grouse 

 and that use is primarily dependent on size of seed, distribution, 

 and abundance. Sedges are low-growing, perennial, grass-like herba- 

 ceous plants ( see Plate 20B ) found mainly in old fields, along woods 

 edges, in marshes and clearings. Some species are found in open 

 woodlands, still others in thickets. Many are particularly adapted 

 to wet soils although some will grow in very dry situations. 



The Dogwoods {Cornus spp.) 



Species utilized: Flowering dogwood (C. forida); gray dogwood 

 (C. paniculata) ; bunchberry (C. canadensis); red osier (C. stoloni- 

 fera); roundleaf dogwood (C. circinnata); silky cornel (C. amo- 

 mum); roughleaf cornel (C. asperifolia) ; blue cornel (C. alterni- 

 folia); in approximate order of importance. 



Seasonal importance: Fruits of some species of dogwoods begin 

 to ripen in midsummer and are taken by both adult and young 

 grouse. Most species are primarily fall food producers but flowering 

 dogwood fruits are also important as a winter food. 



