Table 17. Classification Summary for Gray Partridge observed in the Circle West 

 study area, June 1976 - February 1978. 



Total 413 67 6 1-15 



grain can be a major food item during fall and v/inter (Trueblood and Weigand " 

 1971). Partridge were observed in farm yards during winter months feeding on 

 spilled grain. Cultivated fields were used during all seasons except spring. 

 Partridge were observed on grasslands during e^ery season with greatest use 

 during spring and fall. Weigand (1977) found cereal grains were a major food 

 source during all seasons for partridge in north central Hontana. Grasses and 

 forbs reached their highest use during spring in Weigand 's study. 



Because gray partridge are widely dispersed and difficult to observe, lit- 

 tle data were obtained on production. Data gathered by the F & G at the Fort 

 Peck Dam hunter check station show a 17-year average of 257 juveniles/100 adults 

 (Trueblood 1973). Approximately 1030 partridge were harvested each year by 

 hunters in McCone County from 1969 through 1976 (Trueblood 1977). Wing col- 

 lections from the county and Region Six in 1976 indicated ratios of 7 and 4 

 juveniles/adult, respectively. 



Kill deer . Killdeer arrive in fair numbers in late March and early April 

 (Figure 9), and peak numbers were recorded in July as young were recruited into the 

 population. The Dreyer Ranch, Missouri River, and Prairie Elk routes apparently 

 traversed more of the wet grassland and shore habitats preferred by this species 

 than the other two routes, which were quite similar in terms of sample abundances. 

 Killdeers are believed to breed along the shores of .Melson Creek in the proposed 

 mining area, although no nests were located. Host were gone from the study area 

 by mid -September. Sample abundances were significantly and positively correlated 



76 



