Comparison of weights and measurements of sandhill cranes shot 
during the open season of January 1961 in the eastern counties of 
New Mexico with all known criteria for distinguishing the greater and 
lesser sandhill cranes leads to the conclusion that no greater sandhilis 
were shot. This bears out previous studies from collected and banded 
cranes that birds of this species wintering in the eastem counties 
of New Mexico and the western counties of Texas are almost q@mtirely, 
if not entirely, lesser sandhill cranes. 
(d) Age and sex ratio: Of the 113 birds checked, the age, deter- 
mined by head feathering, was recarded on 137. The ratio of this sample 
was 107 adult to 30 immature, or 78.1:21.9. This closely parallels ths 
ratios of adult to immatures found in cranes trapped for banding before 
the season opened in December 1960 on the Bitter Lake National Wildlife 
Refuge. It is impossible to determine from these data alone whether or not 
any differential exists in vulnerability between adult and immature 
individuals. 
The sex, determined by dissection, was recorded on 119 of the birds 
checked. The ratio was 59 males to 6 females, or :9.6:50.). 
An attempt was made with the data to devise some system whereby 
the weight, some measurement, or a combination of weights and measure- 
ments, could be used to determine the sex of live birds in the field. 
The weight alone in this group of data proved to be tle most reliable. 
When 7 lbs. oz. was used as the dividing line, about 80 percent accuracy 
was realized. Of the adult females checked, 82 percént weighed less than 
7 Ibs.  oz., and 78 percent of the adult males exceeded this amount. 
None of the measurements nor a combination of measurements contributed 
any refinement te this method. | 
(e) Food habits: An analysis of the contents from 51 crane giz- 
zgards collected during the hmting season is shown in Table 4. 
By air-dried weight, almost three-fourths of the mterial contained 
in the gizzards sampled was grit (small stones and gravel). Ninety-seven 
percent of the remaining contents was composed of seed, seed-hmlls, and 
stems from various species of sorghum and green alfalfa. The remining 
3 percent included feathers and dry grass materials. 
(f) Landowner and sportsman reaction: Landowner reaction to the 
cranes and the hunting season varied in accordance with their experience. 
Those with crops subject to depredations, such as small grains, were 
against cranes and for hunting; those who grew cotton were indifferent. 
Qn the opening days of the crane season, hunting pressure was light 
compared to that which is exerted on other species in this area. Hunter 
interest increased after methods for taking cranes were learned. However, 
before the season was well under way, the crane population in the hunting 
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