Wyoming Birds. 39 



TETRAONIDAE (Grouse, Sage iHens, and Ptarmigans). 



The Grouse and Sage Hens are important game birds of the 

 state, but they are decreasing in numbers. They feed during the 

 summer upon grasshoppers, caterpillars, and berries of various 

 kinds. During the winter their diet is largely vegetable, including 

 the buds of trees. In this way they may do considerable damage. 

 The food of the Sage Hens is about the same. 



References : 



1. "Birds in Their Relation to Man,'' Weed and Dearborn, 



pp. 224-227. 



2. "Useful Birds and Their Protection,' - Forbush, pp. 267-274. 



3. Year Book of the Department of Agriculture, 1907, p. 172. 



4. "North American Fauna," No. 27, pp. 340-342. 



297. Dendragapus obscurus obscurus: Dusky Grouse. 



Common resident in the mountains of the southern portion 

 of the state. 



297b. Dendragapus obscurus richardsoni: Richardson's Grouse. 

 In the northern portion of the state this species replaces 

 obscurus, having been found by Jewett, Metz and Black- 

 welder in both the Tetons and Big Horns. 



299. Canachites franklini: Franklin's Grouse. 



Our only record of this is from Blackwelder, who reports 

 it from the Teton region. 



300a. Bonasa umbellus togata: Canada Ruffed Grouse. 



Knight recorded it from northeastern Wyoming. Jewett 

 reports it from Star Valley. Warren, Richard and Pea- 

 body also report it. 



300b. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides: Gray Ruffed Grouse. 

 Fairly common resident in northwestern Wyoming. 



304. Lagopus leucurus leucurus: White-tailed Ptarmigan. 



Probably a common resident in all the alpine regions of 

 the state, but recorded only by Walker in this survey. 

 Knight reported it as a common resident in alpine districts. 



308a. Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianus: Columbian Sharp- 

 tailed Grouse. 

 The early records were very unsatisfactory, but now it is 

 reported from almost all the observers in the northern por- 

 tion of the state. Probably rather uncommon. 



