Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-09-19
OUR GAME BIRDS.
The Multitudinous and Interesting
Grouse Family.--The Many Va
ricties in Montana.

This is the season Wnen every
sportsman and lover of the gun be-
gins to think Of the pleasures OF the
hunt. Many are the plans made for
taking a few days, OF perhaps weeks,
from ones usual occupations in order
to spend them tramping over fields
or prairies or through forests and
along streams, after or more OF
the many kinds Of game with which
our country is supplied. Only a few
years ago Montana ranked as II OF
the great game countries Of the world
and the hunter could find most Of the
large game Of North America within
easv access. Now the scattered rem
nants of the vast bands that once
trod the prairies are only to be found
in the most favored localities. The
rifle has about done its work and
ceased only for lack of farther prey.
Shotguns will be the favorite weapon
of the future with all amateur sports
men.
Not such a great while past an In
dian picked up a shotgun carried by
the writer. He gazed at the compare
lively large bore, felt the thin barrels
between his fingers and finally shook
his head. It was mo good" Alas!
He knew as little concerningt the man
ufacture and use Of the breachloader
as he did Of the vast changes about
to take place in his best hunting
ground, one that he travelled to from
hundreds Of miles away Indeed,
the best of sport may be had with the
shotgun. The pleasure and excite
mont of hunting does not depend as
much on the size of the game or num-
bers killed as on the skill and activity
required in the pursuit.
With each succeeding year, as the
large game becomes scarcer SO the
game birds will be more and more
hunted. Of these Montana is we'll
supplied and among them all, the
Grouse occupy a prominent place as
we'll on account of their trim forms
and often curious plumage and habits
as of their excellent eating qualities.
There are no less than five species Or
dinarily met with.
First may be placedthe Sage grouse
or Sage fowl, a bird easily recognized
by his large size and turkey-like ac-
tions. Above, the plumage is varle-
gated with black, grayish and brown.
Below, black predominates. The long
pointed tail is very noticeable, also
the peculiar scale-like neck feathers,
terminating in bristly flaments.
These birds are rapid flyers and it
requires a heavy charge Of small shot
to bring them down at any great dis
lance. It seems to be the common
impression that their flesh is unpala-
table owing to its strong, sagey taste.
I have killed them at nearly all sea
sons Of the year and found them good
eating. One precaution is necessary,
however. The crop as well as the en-
trails should be instantly removed on
recovering the bird, a they are apt
to be gorged with artemisia or wild
sage This is not their exclusive
food, however. I once flushed a small
flock in a meadow Of tall grass quite
surrounded by mountains. The CROP
Of one [ obtained was full of bios
SONS of a tall golden rod, ~(solidago,
growing there commonly. The range
Of the sage fowl is from Fort Laramie
and the Black Hills on the east to the
Cascade Mountains westward. It is
also known under the names Of Cock
.. of the Plains and Prairie Turkey.
Ranking next to the Sage grouse is
the Dusky grouse, also called Blue
grouse and Pine grouse, a bird never
lOOiid ls1 away 1iou1 pii1C tiiiCCi
The prevailing colors Ire slate-gray
and black, the throat and sides more
OF less marked with white. The tai
is rounded, blackish with a termina
band Of slate. These birds come ou1
more or less into the open foothills tx
breed, returning again in winter to The
thickest forests, often high up on tht
mountains. They have an curious
muffed note, reminding one some
what Of the cooling Of a tame dove
but more rapidly repeated.
On June 2lst, of the past summer
while walking yer a bare, rounded
knoll just outside the mountains, ;
dusky grouse jumped up almost at my
feet. revealing ten young closely hud
died together. The old bird stepped
off a few PAGES and stood staring a
me with outstretched neck, while thu