64 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



On the Howell preserve, where a young grouse grew up in a 

 large pen with a flock of pheasants, as it reached maturity 

 it began to combine stealth with its tameness. Only when 

 hungry would it come to the keeper, flying up on his arm or 

 shoulder to feed. As soon as satisfied, it would sneak off 

 into the bushes, to be seen no more till the next feeding-time. 

 If Uberated in a place where vermin are kept down the}' 

 soon learn to take care of themselves. 



Value of Propagation. Even if it should not prove possi- 

 ble, owing to the expense of pens and difficulties above men- 

 tioned, to raise grouse on a large scale, their successful cul- 

 ture in a limited way would be of value. It is axiomatic 

 that all young birds raised in a certain locality tend to remain 

 there or to return thither, provided that the proper condi- 

 tions are found, whereas adult birds released, being strange 

 to the land, are much less likely to stay in the vicinity. 

 Hence a good way to stock a locality with the rufTed grouse 

 is to raise the young, give them free range when partly 

 grown, and let them gradually take to the woods, to breed 

 there in the wild state. 



Food for Adults. The adult birds, as well as the young, 

 may be fed much the same as quails and pheasants, with the 

 addition of certain "browse" staples. So long as they are 

 given a fair amount each of animal cereal and green food, 

 they do well in confinement, and seem to get along with less 

 variety than they glean in the wild state. Bulletin No. 24. 

 page 29, of the Biological Survey, on the Grouse and Wild 

 Turkeys of the United States, shows that their food consists 

 of about 10 per cent, insects and 90 per cent, vegetable 

 matter. Of the latter about 10 per cent, is seed, nearly 

 30 per cent, fruit, and almost 50 per cent, leaves and buds. 

 About half the seed component is acorns and some beech- 

 nuts, swallowed whole. They eat grain readily when they 



