64 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 73 



Sharp- tailed Grouse (Pedioecetes phasianellus) 

 Status: Regular permanent resident. 



Distribution: Sharp- tailed grouse were formerly well distributed throughout 

 the Valley, with nest records from Pine, Polk, and St. Croix counties. Cur- 

 rently sharp-tailed grouse occur in northern Polk, central Burnett, eastern 

 and central Pine, and southwestern Douglas counties. The largest breeding 

 populations occur at Crex Meadows, Burnett County, and on the sharp- 

 tailed grouse management area near Solon Springs, Douglas County. 

 Dancing ground surveys from Crex Meadows indicate a fairly stable popu- 

 lation, with at least eight active dancing grounds in 1976 (WDNR files). 



Away from the center of the sharp-tailed grouse breeding range, this 

 species is still occasionally observed in St. Croix County. A flock of 12 was 

 observed near Roberts on 13 October 1976, and a single bird observed near 

 Star Prairie on 1 November 1977. 



Habitat: Sharp-tailed grouse are characteristic of mixed grasslands con- 

 taining small groves of oak or aspen trees or shrubs. At the grouse manage- 

 ment area in Douglas County, small patches of jack pine are commonly 

 interspersed with grasslands. Most well-known sharp- tailed grouse breeding 

 habitat in the Valley is characterized by restored prairie grasses on loose 

 sandy soils. 



FAMILY PHASIANIDAE: Quails and Pheasants 



Bobwhite {Colinus virginianus) 

 Status: Regular permanent resident. 



Distribution: The Valley is at the extreme northern limit of the bobwhite 

 range. A very rare resident, restricted to Washington, St. Croix, and Pierce 

 counties. Recent summer records from Crex Meadows in Burnett County are 

 probably released birds. Additionally, Green and Janssen (1975) report 

 records of bobwhites in Pine County. Habitat loss coupled with winter stress 

 have created a severe impact on bobwhite populations. 



Habitat: Primary bobwhite habitat includes retired agricultural fields and 

 Old Field Community intermixed with hedgerows and scattered shrubs. 

 Much of this habitat continues to be altered or destroyed by expanding agri- 

 cultural and urban development. 



Ring-necked Pheasant {Phasianus colchicus) 

 Status: Introduced permanent resident. 



Distribution: Fairly common resident of the Western Upland and Central 

 Plain, rare to absent in the Northern Highland. Ring-necked pheasants were 

 first introduced in western Wisconsin during the 1930's. Populations 

 remained fairly stable through the 1950's and 1960's, primarily because of 

 yearly releases by State wildhfe agencies. Currently, ring-necked pheasant 



