The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-09-10

During the mating season their Pc
culiar calls may be heard ringing
through the woods and over the prai-
ries. These calls are dull. booming
sounds, variously produced. Some
species have extraordinary wing pow
er and BY rapidly beating the air or
the breast feathers produce 4 sound
that can be heard for great dis
tances. Others have an air sac Of
loose skin which the bird initiates to-
IN immense size, then with Jerking
Of the head he releases the air from
it In . series Of hollow boom, boom,
booms'. The grouse belong to the
order gallinae. which includes the
comomn hen and quail. turkeys and
pheasants.
Most important Of the native game
birds In this state from the stand
point Of numbers and distribution ID
the white-breasted or sharp-tailed
grouse. He has acquired these names
from the manner in which the tail
feathers draw down to q distinct
point and to the coloration Of the
breast, which is grey with brown
speckles.
Has Horny Appendsges
Mature has provided him with
horny appendages growing from the
sides Of his toes, which serve as snow
shoes. The sharp tail Is better
equipped to Withstand the bitter cold
and deep snow than Is his slightly
larger cousin, the pinnated grouse,
having thick growth Of heavy, soft
feathers the entire length Of the leg.
His natural food Is the buffalo berry,
wild rose buds and insects.
"These birds often develop . fond
ness for corn and you can often find
him In the corn fields In the early
morning and late afternoon. From
10 in the morning until around four
In the afternoon you are more likely
to flush him from the draws and
wooded coulees. He dislikeS strong
winds and often Is found on such q
day in tall grasses and weed patches.
"Pinnated grouse are perhaps the
most priced among the sportsmen Of
North Dakota. This bird, because Of
its habit Of nesting on the open prai-
RE, has found 1t extremely difficult
to maintain its numbers in the face
Of the intensive cultivation Of the
land in that portion Of the state
which formed its natural habitat.
THE pinnated grouse can be iden-
titled by the lack Of the horny ap-
pendages on the toes, by the long
tufts OF narrow, stiff feathers which
grow backwards on each side Of the
neck. The plumage Is dark brown on
the back with light brown bars. The
breast Is. dark grey with dark brown
lines running across the breast.
There is q slight crest on the head
and the males have q calling air sac
on each side Of the neck. just below
the tufts Of feathers.
Found In Eastern N. D.
@Pinnated grouse are most plenti-
ful In our state east Of an imaginary
line running north and south approx
imately 50 miles east Of Bismarck.
Their favorite haunts and feeding
| grounds are wheat. rye, corn and
barley fields. In the heat Of the day
they are prone to seek shelter from
the sun in tall growths Of weeds and
green patches Of buck brush and dog
wood. It appears that they are slowly
becoming more plentiful In certain
parts Of the Red River valley and
other points east Of Bismarck.
1.-THE third member Of the North
Dakota grouse family is the sporty
and wiley ruffed grouse. He is erro-
neously dubbed partridge and
pheasant He Is q true grouse and
derives his name from the handsome
collar Of stiff, black feathers which
form ruff about his neck. His
plumage IS very similar to that Of
the pinnated, his larger cousin.
This bird loves the woods and
here he can be heard as he mounts 4
fallen tree and drums his call. The
laundering reverberations Of his wins
beats can Be heard for mile through
tho woods. He can be found In fairly
plentiful numbers in the covers Of
the Turtle mountains"