sist in the care of the young, but rejoin 

 them when they are able to care for 

 themselves. A family covey is then 

 formed. 



During the summer season the Dusky 

 Grouse feed upon various insects, espe- 

 cially grasshoppers, wild fruits, young 

 leaves and buds. At this time their flesh 

 has a pleasant flavor and is very much 

 liked. In the winter they frequent trees 

 and feed upon the buds of pines and the 

 seeds of their cones. They will also feed 

 upon the buds of other coniferous trees. 

 During the winter season they fly from 

 tree to tree and their tracks are not 

 found in the snow. As they perch in 

 the evergreens, their plumage blends 

 quite perfectly with the color of the 

 pine branches and foliage, and when they 

 observe an intruder they remain per- 

 fectly still and may readily be taken for 

 a knot, or a broken limb. If they move 



at all, it is to take flight, and with a 

 sudden movement they leave their perch 

 and must be looked for in other tree 

 tops, and it may be very difficult to again 

 find them. Even while feeding upon a 

 food which possesses a strong resinous 

 flavor, the flesh of the Dusky Grouse 

 is said to be fairly attractive. 



They are solitary birds and it is sel- 

 dom that more than three or four adults 

 are seen together. Of course a family 

 of young, dependent upon the mother 

 bird, make quite a party, but when they 

 can take care of themselves separation 

 ensues. It is only when the young are 

 unable to fly into the branches of trees 

 that these tree-loving Grouse roost on 

 the ground. When disturbed, the young 

 quickly hide under leaves, bushes, or 

 logs, and their mother flies away and 

 makes an effort to attract attention to 

 herself. 



A RAIN-TIME PRAYER 



O Father, kind, who sendeth from above 



These gentle drops of rain 

 To cheer the earth, and haste the birth 



Of buds, and grass, and grain — 

 O Father, like these raindrops make my love, 



That ev'ry heart I know 

 May gain from me some strength to be, 



And learn, and love, and grow ! — Jac Lowell. 



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