Vol. XX 

 1903 



I Anthony, Migration of Richardson's Grouse. 2^ 



weather seemed to check the southward flight until about the loth, 

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

 snow bore ample testimony as to the manner in which the migra- 

 tion was made. 



From the higher slopes north of Eagle Caiion, 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 seven hun- 

 dred 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 one hundred feet square, I think fully eighty-five percent 

 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 down- 

 ward. The flight from the top of the peak was almost invariably 

 undertaken at about sunrise or sunset. It is only when birds are 

 disturbed and driven from the peak that they will attempt to cross 

 to the southern ridge during the middle of the day. Throughout 

 the day grouse are arriving along the upper slopes of Baldy, 

 singly, in pairs, and small flocks that have perhaps formed since 

 the southward march began, as I think they do not winter in com- 

 ' pany, but the flight from the peak is usually in flocks of from a 

 dozen to a hundred birds. Though the ridge south of Sparta is 

 four hundred feet or more lower than the top of Baldy, it is fully 

 a mile and a half distant in an air line, and the flight is seldom 

 sustained to carry the birds to the top. Usually they alight on 

 the snow half way up the slope, and after a few moments' rest, 

 continue the journey on foot; those passing over in the evening 

 spend the night, I think, in the pines, the last of which are seen 

 along this divide ; but those arriving in the morning soon pass on, 

 walking down any of the small ridges leading toward Powder 

 River. rom the lava cliffs, which form the canon along this 

 part of the river, they fly across to the lower slopes of Lookout 

 Mountains, up which they walk, continuing the migration as far, 

 at least, as the valley of Burnt River. 



On arriving at the first bare ground, gravel is eagerly sought 



