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and Crataegus; blackberries, raspberries, blue-berries, cranber- 
ries, huckleberries, black elder, Samhucus Canadensis ; red elder, 
S. pubeiis; hobble bush, Viburnum alnifolium ; high bush cran- 
berry, F. Opnlus; nanny berries, V. Lentago ; maple leaved vi- 
burnum, V. acerifoliiLin ; wintergreen, Gaultheria proeumbens ; 
service berry, Amelanchier Canadensis ; and the several species 
of grapes and wild plums. 
Considering thirty species of berries that are eaten by B. um- 
bellns, we find that fifteen are red or crimson, ten blue or black, 
and but five white. This is about the proportion in which the 
colors occur in nature, the majority of fruits being red, while 
comparatively a few are white or green. And it is well under- 
stood that the predominence of red, not only in fruits, but in or- 
nithophilous or bird-pollinated flowers is due to the selective pre- 
ference of birds for that color. The seeds of fruits are indigest- 
ible and pass through the bird uninjured, frequently at a great 
distance from the parent plant. Hence those plants that cater 
most to the color preference of birds, in other words, whose ber- 
ries are most conspicuous and attractive stand the best chance of 
having their seeds widely distributed, and are the most numerous 
in species and individuals. Certainly no more effective means for 
the transportation and dispersion of seeds could be devised, than 
that which employs birds for that purpose. 
Certain of the berries mentioned, viz.: Rhus Vernix (poison 
sumac), Rhus radicans (poison ivy) and Sanibuciis Canadensis 
(red elder) are poisonous to man, but innocuous to the ruffed 
grouse and to many other birds. Several cases of poisoning have 
been reported, however, from eating the flesh of the partridge, 
and have been attributed to the bird's having eaten largely of these 
berries or of the leaves of elder or Kalmia. 
All those nuts whose shells are thin and soft are eaten greedily 
by the ruffed grouse. Beechnuts, chestnuts and the acorns of the 
white and chestnut oaks probably complete the list. 
Green leaves are eaten at all times when they can be obtained. 
The following may be mentioned : white clover, red clover, dan- 
delion, chickweed, sow-thistle, peppermint, ground ivy {Gleconia 
hederacea) Mitchella rep ens, Kalmia latifolia, and K. angustifolia. 
The buds upon which they almost entirely subsist during the 
wintertime are those of the three birches, the black, white and 
yellow ; also of ironwood, poplar, the willows, wild apple, laurel 
(Kalmia) and fern. The young catkins of birch, and probably 
also of alder are consumed in large quantities. 
Mushrooms are eaten in spring and fall, and lichens occasion- 
ally in winter. 
