298 BULLETIN 16 2, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



was taking advantage of a strong -north wind and making wonderful time, 

 using his wings almost continually and sailing very little. 



Fortunately we had a clear view up the river for nearly 2 miles and while 

 the birds were covering this distance their respective positions remained un- 

 changed, but when the bend of the river was reached the grouse changed its 

 course, going over the land. The goshawk immediately rose from below to well 

 above its quarry, with the full intention, we thought, of making its swoop, but 

 unfortunately intervening trees close to us hid the rest of the incident. 



Norman Cricldle (1930), in an interesting study of the fluctuations 

 in numbers of grouse in Manitoba, from 1895 to 1929, has shown 

 on a graph " the remarkable regularity with which sharp-tailed 

 grouse fluctuate in company with grasshoppers." His theory is that 

 young grouse are fed to a large extent on grasshoppers and that 

 during periods of abundance of these insects the birds rear large 

 broods. He says : 



Referring again to our graph it will be observed that all the high points of 

 Sharp-tailed Grouse abundance were preceded and accompanied by grasshopper 

 outbreaks. Of these outbreaks the one of 1900-1903 was much the worst that 

 we ever experienced in the Aweme district, and it was not finally subdued until 

 1905. The peak of grouse abundance was also attained at this time, and we have 

 no records of Sharp-tailed Grouse ever being in greater numbers. 



Game. — My experience with sharp-tailed grouse was confined to 

 the breeding season, when they are very tame, flush near at hand, 

 fly rather straight and evenly, and give one a good, open, easy shot. 

 We considered them easy marks and had no difficulty in shooting 

 all we needed for specimens. But in fall, after they have been shot 

 at, they are evidently more gamy and seem to be popular as game 

 birds. Sandys (1904) writes: 



The sport afforded by this grouse is of a very high order. At the opening 

 of the season it lies well to the dog, and springs with the usual whirr of wings, 

 at the same time uttering a vigorous clucking, which is repeated again and 

 again as the birds speed away, alternately flapping and sailing. When driven 

 to brush, they very frequently behave not unlike quail, flushing close at hand, 

 and offering the prettiest of single chances. The flesh is excellent, light-colored 

 in young birds, and darkening with age, but always worthy of a place on the 

 hoard. Not seldom, as one nears the pointing dog, he will see the birds 

 squatted in the grass, and perhaps, have one after another turn and run a 

 few yards before taking wing. When thus seen they are very handsome, the 

 crest is raised, and the white hinder feathers show like the flag of a deer, or 

 the scut of a cottontail rabbit. Almost invariably the flush is straggling, giv- 

 ing a quick man a fine opportunity for scoring again and again. At the proper 

 season, i. e., just before the broods begin to pack and become wary, this bird 

 affords sport to be long remembered. I have enjoyed it to the full, and know 

 of nothing better for a business-harassed man than a day on the sunny open 

 with the sharptails behaving well. Like all prairie-grouse, this bird, rising 

 close, is an easy mark for whoever has learned not to be hurried by the sound 

 of wings. A good twelve-gauge, properly held, should stop its buzzing and 

 clucking fully three-fourths of all reasonable chances. 



