THEC9I1D9R 
JL-Sh.JLQ]lZXS\&.- 05 
wess oigfXtGi^oitOGY 
Volxime "VI 
July- August, 190-4' 
Number -4 
A Dusky Grouse and Her Brood in New Mexico 
1!Y KI.ORKNCli MliR[<IAM HAII.EV 
O NK of our pleasantest field experiences last summer was with an old 
Dendragapus in the Rocky mountains, which, after a short acquaintance 
flattered us by coming to accept tis as neighbors. We had a hint of the 
pleasure in store for us as we were packing up the mountains, for when my horse, 
leading the way for the pack horses, flushed an old cock grouse which had been 
dusting himself at the foot of a tree close to the trail, he lit again on a branch so 
near that w’e could see his small pointed head and craned neck as he watched us. 
“If they’re all as tame as that !’’ — I thought with a thrill of expectancy. When 
we had climbed to i i,ooo feet we made camp in the blue spruces and established 
ourselves for our Canadian zone w'ork. 
Our neighbors were discovered one morning soon afterwards by Mr. Bailey 
who, bound for his mammal traps, started up the grassy slope on the edge of camp, 
a sunny slope dotted with mariposa lilies and bountifully supplied with patches of 
wild strawberry, which is a favorite mountain delicacy with the grouse. Half way 
up the hill two little grouse about a third grown, sprang from the long grass at his 
feet, one whizzing off in one direction and one in another. Quick as a flash the 
mother grouse appeared from behind a rock close by and ‘sputtered and fussed’, 
standing for some time within five feet of the enemy, effectually distracting his at- 
tention from her brood. Hoping that she would wait, he called me to bring the 
camera, but on my approach she started up the hill leading us to the woods, point- 
ing the way with flags flying — head, crest, and tail up, an alert, conspicuous figure. 
On reaching the woods I followed Mr. Bailey inside for a short distance to 
give the old bird time to compose herself, and on my return found her sitting quiet- 
ly by a log on the edge of the w’oods. I wanted to get her into the light to pl)oto- 
