THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE 247 



wheat. When the winter's snow shuts them off 

 from the gleanings on the stubble, they feed for 

 a time at the straw-stacks by scratching down 

 through the snow and chaff to reach the grain on 

 the ground. Though they are not very expert 

 scratchers, nevertheless they can excavate a fair 

 amount if there is wheat in prospect. 



The quest of wheat in winter frequently 

 leads these grouse to come right into the towns. 

 They first took this bold step after finding wheat 

 dropped along the roads and railway. As the 

 clue led in the direction of the big red elevators, 

 they followed it in at first, but soon needed no 

 grain trail by way of invitation. They were 

 quick to learn that they were not molested in the 

 winter, and indeed received a ready welcome. 

 To the shooter whose only acquaintance with 

 the sharp-tail is gained during the open season, 

 when khaki-coated hunters and their dogs rout 

 the birds from their thickets, far distant then 

 from towns, the sight of twenty of these fine birds 

 running around the railroad station, perched 

 upon flat-cars in the sidings, or accepting the 

 screenings thrown out for them from the eleva- 

 tor or flour-mill, is all something new and to be 

 remembered. 



