richabdson's grouse 97 



so far as I know, the different forms are found in all sections. Both obscurus 

 and richardsoni are larger than Ruffed Grouse, but the Yellowstone specimens 

 are even larger than the average. 



Richardson's Grouse live in all kinds of brush and forest from the willows 

 as low as 5,500 feet altitude, through the service-berry (Amelanchier alnifolia 

 Nutt.) areas, aspen groves, Douglas firs, limber pines, lodgepole pines, spruce 

 and white-bark pines to the stunted spruces at timber-line (about 9,500 feet). 



1 have seen them out on the open plateaus and high meadows above timber- 

 line, almost up to the 10,000-foot level. These timber-line birds were seen 

 from July to October, but they apparently went down into the forests during 

 the winter. I have seen these grouse in thick-growing lodgepole saplings where 

 the small trees were so thick it appeared impossible for the grouse to walk or 

 fly through them ; and I have also seen them out in burned forests, especially 

 where there were berries to be had. 



While Richardson's Grouse prefer the forests, I have found them out in the 

 sage-brush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), sometimes as much as five hundred 

 yards from the nearest tree. Usually, they are wild in such localities, and 

 soon fly to the nearest trees for protection ; but on May 31, 1921, one was 

 found hiding under a two-foot sage-bush in the open. I have also seen single 

 birds in open grasslands without brush and as much as two hundred yards 

 from the nearest tree ; and once I rode my horse past one in full view in the 

 grass and within twenty feet of me. No doubt this tameness is largely due 

 to the fact that they are absolutely protected and have nothing to fear from 

 man within the Park. They often come boldly about the buildings of the little 

 village at Mammoth, and even walk across the lawns, both in winter, and 

 when the tourists are numerous in summertime. I have sometimes thought 

 the birds liked the open in winter, because of the sunny warmth there. Still, 

 they are also out in the open on the warmest of summer days. 



Spring. — A. W. Anthony (1903) gives a very interesting account 

 of the extensive spring migration of Richardson's grouse in eastern 

 Oregon. The flight was mainly southward from the higher ridges, 

 heavily timbered with pine and fir, to the sage-covered benches and 

 ridges where they nest. He writes : 



On the first of March, 1902, when the first of the migrating grouse made their 

 appearance along the edge of the timber north of Sparta, the snow was from 



2 to 4 feet in depth, though the lower slopes near Powder River were bare 

 and had begun to show the first signs of sprouting grass. Snow squalls and 

 rough weather seemed to check the southward flight until about the 10th, 

 although a few birds were passing over daily. The tracks on the snow bore 

 ample testimony as to the manner in which the migration was made. 



From the higher slopes north of Eagle Canon, the birds sailed until the 

 rising ground brought them to the surface of the snow on the south side of 

 the creek, usually well above the canon. From this time until the highest 

 point of the ridge south was reached the journey was performed on foot. 

 Immediately north of Sparta lies a conical peak known as Baldy, some 700 

 feet above camp, the highest point in the ridge south of Eagle Creek. From 

 the top of Baldy, and in an area not to exceed 100 feet square, 1 think fully 

 85 per cent of the grouse passing over Sparta take their departure. From east, 

 north and west up the steep, snowy slopes hundreds of trails led toward the 

 top and not one could be found leading downward. The flight from the top 

 of the peak was almost invariably undertaken at about sunrise or sunset. It 



