Food and Water 141 



November-December food in Virginia (Nelson) and are also taken 

 throughout the region in small quantities. 



Buckwheat {Fagopyrum esculentum) : The seed is a fall food, 

 mainly in Pennsylvania and New York. It composed one and two- 

 tenths per cent of the November food in northeastern records, 

 slightly less in October ( Smyth ) . 



Huckleberries ( Gaylussacia ) : Fruit and buds are taken in sum- 

 mer and winter, respectively. Of the two species definitely identified, 

 black huckleberry is the more important, but other species probably 

 are used too. Huckleberries were recorded by Hosley as contribut- 

 ing one per cent of the fall and winter food in Massachusetts. They 

 were lumped with blueberries (Vaccinium) in the significant use 

 records of Kuhn in Pemisylvania and Nelson in Virginia. They have 

 been recorded as utilized in other New England states as far north- 

 east as New Hampshire. 



Avens {Geum): Seeds and leaves are taken in fall and winter. 

 Only one species has been definitely identified (G. strictum) but 

 others also are probably patronized. Composed one and two-tenths 

 per cent of October food in the Northeast (Smyth); smaller but 

 significant quantities have been recorded as taken by grouse from 

 Vii-ginia to New England. 



Witch hazel (Hamaiiielis mrginiana): The seeds, flowers, and 

 buds ai'e taken in rather small but consistent quantities during fall 

 and winter from Maine to Virginia. They composed one per cent of 

 the f all-and-winter food in New Hampshire ( Hosley ) ; one per cent 

 of the November diet in the Northeast ( Smyth ) ; and two and six- 

 tenths per cent of November subsistence in Pennsylvania (Kuhn, 

 1941). 



Holly (Ilex): The fruit, and to a small extent the leaves, of at 

 least three species of Ilex are fall and winter foods from Virginia 

 to Maine. The most important species by far is winterberry (see 

 Plate 29C ) . Plants of this genus produced over one per cent of the 

 winter food in the Northeast (Bi-1297); one and one-tenth per cent 

 in Maine, and one and three-tenths per cent in New Hampshire 

 ( Hosley ) . Smaller quantities are recorded in all parts of the region 

 south to Virginia. 



Jewelweed ( Impatiens ) : The seeds and leaves are an important 

 summer and early fall food of both chicks and adults. Spotted jewel- 

 weed is the more important and the only one specifically identified. 



