American Game 75 



groves being their usual resorts. Sharp-tailed grouse 

 are very abundant. They are generally found along 

 the banks of streams. Sage-hen are found in large 

 flocks in most of the valleys. The latter birds are 

 said to be on the increase. Small mountain grouse, 

 commonly called fool-hen, are common. Grouse are 

 thought to be decreasing slightly in Idaho, but not to 

 any serious extent. They are at the present time 

 abundant in almost all of their former haunts, especially 

 so along the Salmon river and all its tributaries; also 

 along the Clearwater and Snake rivers, and in the 

 barren sage-brush valleys and foot-hills. 



The trumpeter swan breeds in Idaho, and remains 

 there all winter. Quail or bob-white are believed to 

 be increasing in Weiser and Salubria valleys. They 

 are also found in abundance in the Boise and Pay- 

 ette valleys. These birds were propagated success- 

 fully from a. few pairs from Illinois. 



As nearly all the streams have their sources in the 

 mountains bordering the Yellowstone Park, and as the 

 waters coming from large springs do not freeze, the 

 rivers remain open for many miles from their sources, 

 which makes them good feeding-grounds for water-fowl. 

 Among the duck the most numerous are mallard, red- 

 head, and teal, but there are many spoonbills, wood- 

 duck, butterballs, and others less esteemed. There are 

 many Canada geese and some brant in the rivers during 

 the spring and autumn. 



There are small game-birds of the snipe family found 

 throughout the state, which are not hunted to any great 

 extent on account of the abundance of larger game. 



Of late years many sportsmen have visited Idaho 



