Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Birds Flowers
Trees
Insects Stars
Reptiles and Amphibians
Mammals
Seashores Fishes
Weather
Rocks and Minerals
Photography (A GOLDEN HANDBOOK)
Zoology Fossils
Gamebirds
Sea Shells of the World
IN PREPARATION:
Moths and BuHerfies
Non-fowering Plants
GOLDEN REGIONAL GUIDES OF AMERI CA
The Southwest
The Southeast
The Pacifc Northwest
Everglades National Park
The Rocky Mountains
Washington, D.C.
10100 This book is also available in the
De Luxe Library edition.
A GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES
AND THEIR HABI TS
by
ALEXANDER SPRUNT I V
Research Director, National Audubon Society
and
HERBERT S. ZI M, Ph. D.
I l l ustrated by
JAMES GORDON I RVI NG
A G OLD EN N ATURE GUI DE
GOLDEN PRESS @ NEW YORK
FOREWORD
Since t he earl iest days, men have hunted. Today about
12 mi l l i on hunters buy l i censes i n the Uni ted States, and
most hunt gamebi rds. These l ar ger bi rds ar e equal l y i nter
esti ng to those who hunt wi th a camera and to t hose who
j ust enj oy l ooki ng at bi rds.
Hunti ng regul ati ons i mpose on t he hunter t he responsi
bi l ity of i dentifyi ng a gamebi rd before he shoots. Recog
niti on of rare and protected species i s the frst step i n
keepi ng t hem al i ve. F or these reasons and many others
we have brought i nto the Gol den Gui de Seri es a book of
basic data on Ameri can gamebi rds. I n so doi ng we have
had i nval uabl e assistance from Robert P. Al l en and Al ex
ander Sprunt, Jr. , orni thol ogists of note. The experi ence
of Grace Crowe I rvi ng wi th western bi rds was val uabl e,
as was t he hel p of Donna Nel son Sprunt in t he prepara
ti on of the manuscri pt. The arti st j oi ns us i n thanki ng
Char l es E. O' Bri en and Joseph O' Connel l of the American
Museum of Natural Hi story. A. S. , I V; H. S. Z.
HOW TO USE THE RANGE MAPS I N THI S BOOK
Begi nni ng wi th the Canada Goose on page 22, you wi l l
fnd range maps for most bi rds. The areas where the
bi rds breed are shown i n red; the areas where they
wi nter are shown i n bl ue. The areas i n purpl e s how where
the s ummer and wi nter ranges overl ap or where t he bi rds
are resi dent. When the ranges of two bi rds are shown on
the same map, one bi rd' s range i s shown i n sol i d col ors,
the other in bl ue and red l i nes.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 61-8316
Copyright 1961 by Golden Press, Inc. All rights reserved, including the
right of reproduc,ion in whole or in part in any form. Designed and pro
duced by Artists and Writers Press, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. by Western
Printing and lithographing Company. Published by Golden Press, Inc.,
New York, N. Y. Published simultaneously in Canada by The Musson Book
Company, ltd., Toronto.
Third Printing, 1964
CONTENTS
I NTRODUCI NG GAMEBI RDS . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
What gamebirds are; where they live; how
they are maintained and protected.
EXTI NCT AND THREATENED SPECI ES 15-19
Birds lost forever and some we can still save.
WATERFOWL o .o o . o .o o . o o . .o o o . . ..o o o . 20-88
Introduction o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 20-2 1
Geese o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-33
River Ducks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-57
Sea Ducks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-82
Mergansers and others . . . . . . . . . . 83-85
Waterfowl food plants o . . . . . . . . . . 86-88
This is a great family which includes ducks,
geese, and swans. All have webbed feet, fat
tened bodies, short legs, and bills modifed
for straining.
RAILS o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89-97
This family also includes the gallinules and
coots, duck-like birds with bills like those of
chickens.
SHOREBI RDS
Includes the woodcock and snipes.
98-103
PI GEONS AND DOVES o . . . . . . . o . o .. o o . o 104-114
Birds of field and open forest; some with
rounded tails; some with painted tails.
GALLI NACEOUS GAME BI RDS ... .. o . . .. .. 11 S-1 53
A large group with chicken-like habits; main-
ly upland gamebirds including a few foreign
species which thrive in North America.
HABITAT I MPROVEMENT o ... o . o . . . o .. . . 154-155
BI BLI OGRAPHY, MORE I NFORMATION o o o 156
INDEX . o o o o o o o . o o o . o o o o . o . o .. o . o o o o . o 157-160
4
I NTRODUCI NG
GAMEBI RDS
A great n umber of bi rds have been consi dered game in
years past. Everyt hi ng from fl ami ngos to hummi ngbi rds
have been taken for food, sport, or even for medi ci nal
use. In North Ameri ca many speci es now ri gi dl y protected
were shot regul arl y years ago. Robi ns, meadowl arks,
bobol i nks, and a host of other smal l bi rds were sought for
the pot when our great-grandfathers took to the fi el d.
Nowadays, wi th hunti ng far mor e i mportant as recreati on
than as a source of food, our i deas of gamebi rds have
changed. What we cal l gamebi rds are sti l l bi rds that are
good eati ng, but they are al so bi rds wi th the wi l dness,
fast fi ght, and el usi veness that appeal to s portsmen. De
spi te reasonabl e hunti ng by men, a game speci es i s abl e
to mai ntai n i tsel f.
Modern sportsmen are wel l aware of thei r responsi bi l
i t y to conserve game speci es. Season and bag l i mi ts are
a recogni zed essenti al . Fees for l i censes and stamps, and
taxes on arms and ammuni ti on hel p provi de funds for
wi l dl ife research and for devel opment of refuges where
game speci es can breed, or where they can rest and feed
duri ng mi grati on. Several federal and state agencies and
a number of non- proft organi zati ons work steadi l y on the
probl ems of protecti ng our gamebi rd popul at i on.
The val ue of gamebi rds goes far beyond t hei r -ppeal
to sportsmen. They are i mportant l i nks in t he bi ol ogi c food
chai n that i ncl udes al l l i vi ng thi ngs-hunters and hunted.
Many peopl e who do not hunt fi nd gamebi rds a speci al
del i ght. Al l watch thei r coming and goi ng wi th t he chang
i ng seasons and thri l l to t he si ght of pheasants ri si ng above
corn shocks, and to the honki ng of geese hi gh overhead.
CLASSI FI CATI ON OF GAMEBI RDS. Gamebi rds are not
a natural gr oup of bi rds. Those of Nort h Ameri ca fal l
i nto 1 2 di ferent fami l i es. Si nce gamebi rds are hunted, an d
hunt i ng i s regul ated by l aw, t h e defi ni ti on i s a l egal one
-but one t hat has been changed conti nual l y si nce Con
necti cut frst set up hunti ng seasons i n 1 677. Efecti ve
l arge-scal e regul at i on of hunti ng, l ess t han a century ol d,
i s based on i nternati onal cooperati on. A mi gratory bi rd
treaty wi th Canada was rati fi ed i n 1918 and one wi t h
Mexi co i n 1936. These establ i sh federal or nati onal j uri s
di cti on over mi gratory bi rds. Many gamebi rds mi grate
and hence are under federal control . The federal govern
ment establ i shes basi c regu l ati ons and states may make
modifcati on wi t hi n these l i mi ts. The vari ous states (the
provi nces i n Canada) have di rect responsi bi l ity f or non
mi gratory gamebi rds. Thi s di sti ncti on, t hough l egal l y cl ear,
does not fi t the natural pi cture perfectl y. Some mi gratory
bi rds may be found the year round i n parts of t hei r range.
Some non- mi gratory speci es move l ocal l y wi th the seasons,
or wi th changes i n t he food suppl y.
5
zzyhead, Sawbi l l
Sci enti fc name: Lophodytes
cucul/atus
Weights:
Mal e
Femal e
Si ze: 1 6- 1 9 i n.
Average
l b. oz.
1 8
1 4
Record
lb. oz.
1 1 5
1 8
Fl i ght speech: No i nformati on
MkCAN5k5 85
key foetor in mai ntai ni ng the popu
l ati on of ducks and geese. Artifci al
ng gro of occasi onal hel p duri ng on emer-
gency. For more i mportant i s the preservation of normal
envi ronments where natural pl ant foods thrive and where
mi grati ng or wi nteri ng bi rds con hove protecti on. Restora
ti on of marsh l ands, unwi sel y drai ned for agri cul ture, con
al so hel p. Steps t hat control water pol l uti on, si l ti ng and
foodi ng al so hel p support waterfowl pl ant foods. Some
waterfowl gl ean waste groi n and someti mes damage groi n
crops. Di vi ng ducks toke more ani mal food. Maj or pl ants
used by waterfowl ore i l l ustrated on pages 87 and 88
.
Other foods ore l i sted bel ow.
SOME FOS OF WATERFOWL
Plant Foods
Algae (sev. sp.)
Bolckypress
Burreed
Naiad
Com
Sorghum
Plgeongrass
Cutgrass
O
Mannagrass
Barley
Chufa
Saw gross
Carex
Duckweed
Dock
Buckwheat
Waterhemp
Coantall
Watenhleld
Waterllly
Waterprl mraa
Watermllfoll
Button bush
86 WAIkFOW| FOO0 P|ANI5
Anlal Foods
Snails, dams
Brn
Crab
Craws
Shrimp
Grauhoppen
Cric
a..tt ..
Ants, wasps
Aquatic i nsect larvae
Minnows
Ki l l ifsh
seed
CORDGRASS {Spartina) i s the
main marsh grass of Atl antic and
Gul f coasts. Makes sal t-hay. Seeds
and root stocks eaten.
WIDGEON GRASS, Ditch, or Sea
Grass (Ruppia), i s a common pond
weed of bracki sh coastal waters.
Enti re pl ant i s eaten.
ARROWHEAD or Duck Potato
(Sagittaria) i s abundant in swamps
and al ong ri ver banks. Waterfowl
eat tubers and smal l fat seeds.
seed
SMARTWEED or Knotweed (Poly
gonum) i s found in upl ands as
wel l as i n marshes. Seeds are
eaten. I t i s a form of Buckwheat.
MUSKGRASS (Chara) i s a l i me
coated al gae wi despread in fresh
and brackish waters. Ducks rel i sh
the enti re pl ant.
PONDWEED (Potamogeton) i s an
i mportant seed-beari ng aquati c
pl ant of fresh or sl i ghtl y sal i ne
waters. Al l parts are eaten.
WA1k|OW| |OO0 P|AN15 87
seed
WI LD RICE (Zizonio) is o tal l ,
pl umed gr as s of marshes and
streams. Provides excel l ent shel
ter. Seeds ore eaten.
1 . BULRUSH (Scirpus) i s a common
sedge of ponds, streams and
bracki sh marshes. Vari es greatl y i n
appearance. Seeds andstems eaten.
2. SPI KERUSH (Eieocharis) i s a si n
gl e spi ked, nearl y l eafl ess, fresh
water sedge. Seeds and tubers
are eaten.
3. WI LD CELERY or Eel grass (Vol
lisneria). Wi despread in N. E.
ponds and streams. A val uabl e
food; enti re pl ant i s eaten.
WI LD MI LLET (Echinochloo} i s a
coarse, dense-headed g rass whi ch
provides shel ter as wel l as l arge
edi bl e seeds.
88 WA1k|OWl |OO0 P|AN15
RAI LS
Rai l s ar e oft en cal l ed marsh hens. They ar e chunky, chick
en- l i ke bi rds wi th short tai l s and l ong, strong l egs. Of
some 1 29 speci es, onl y 1 0 occur i n North Ameri ca and,
of t hese, seven are consi dered gamebi rds.
Nort h Ameri can rai l s ar e di vi ded i nto two groups. The
fi rst are sel dom-seen bi rds of dense marshes. They do not
swi m wel l and fl y poor l y wi th t hei r l ong l egs dangl i ng
j ust over t he marsh grasses. Yet t hi s gr oup may mi grate
over great di stances, some wi nteri ng i n Mexi co, Central
and South Ameri ca.
The secon d i ncl udes the coots and gal l i nul es, whi ch ar e
mor e often seen swi mmi ng i n open water. Some are mi s
taken for ducks, but a second l ook reveal s a short, thi ck,
bri ghtl y col ored bi l l . Al t hough coots and gal l i nul es are
better fi ers t han other rai l s, t hey l ack grace and power
i n the ai r. They often prefer to spatter al ong, usi ng wi ngs
and f eet i nstead of taki ng of compl etel y. Al l rai l s have
l oud voi ces and can be hear d gr unt i ng and cackl i ng i n
t he marshes. They are di fcul t t o see as t hey r emai n hi dden
i n t he grass and ot her vegetati on.
short-bi l l ed rai l s
kA| |5 89
KI NG RAI L is one of the l argest, with a reddi sh breast,
brown back and long sl ender bi l l . A bird of fresh-water
swamps, it i s sel dom seen except duri ng migrati on. I ts
fi ght i s weak and futteri ng, but duri ng mi grati ons it fi es
more di rectl y with feet tucked up, usual l y at ni ght. How
ever, thi s rai l i s a resi dent over much of its range. Its nest,
wel l -conceal ed i n a cl ump of vegetati on, i s often arched
over wi th twi gs or l eaves. I n it 8 to 1 1 pal e buf eggs,
marked wi th brown, are l ai d. These hatch i nto jet- bl ack
chi cks whi ch fol l ow thei r mother unti l they are fedged.
Ki ng rai l s feed mai nl y on seeds and pl ants but take i n
sects, frogs and crawfsh i n summer. Thei r cal l i s a seri es
of l ong, rapi d "chucks. "
0 kA| |5
Local names: Marsh Hen, Red
breasted Rail, Fresh-water Marsh
Hen
Scientifc name: Ral/us elegans
Weights: Average Record
lb. oz. lb. oz.
Mal e 0 1 1 0 1 2
Femal e No i nformati on, probobly
sl i ghtl y l i ghter
Size: 1 5- 1 9 i n.
Fl i ght speeds: No i nformati on
VI RGI NI A RAI L is a smal l er versi on of the Ki ng Rai l
wi th a si mi l ar l ong bi l l and reddi sh-brown underparts.
These, too, stay deep i n fresh-water marshes and are
weak fi ers, rarel y movi ng more than 5 to I0 yards when
fushed. They prefer to escape danger by r unni ng rapi dl y
through the mars h grass. Duri ng mi grati ons Vi rgi ni a Rai l s
fy at ni ght and manage t o cover l ong di stances. The nest,
bui l t in a cl ump of marsh grass, contai ns 7 to I 2 eggs
whi ch requi re about I 5 days to hatch. The day they
hatch, the downy, bl ack young can run, swi m and dive.
Vi rgi ni a Rai l s feed mostl y on snai l s, i nsects, worms and
smal l fsh. The cal l i s a r api d seri es of sharp notes-tic-it,
tic-it-heard at dawn and dusk.
Local names: Marsh Hen
Scientifc name: Ro/lus limicolo
Wei ghts: Average Record
Mol e
Femal e
Size: 9-1 0 i n.
Fl i ght speeds:
l b. oz. l b. oz.
0 3. 8 0 4. 3
0 2. 9 0 3. 3
No i nformation
kA||5 I
CLAPPER RAI L is a bi rd of sal t marshes and was for
merly quite common in thi s habi tat. I t resembl es the Ki ng
Rai l i n si ze and shape, but is gray i nstead of a ri ch
brown. li ke other rai l s, it i s most often seen skul ki ng
through the grasses or wal ki ng wari l y al ong the mud
bank of some ti dal creek, jerki ng head and tai l wi th each
step. I ts narrow, somewhat fattened body ai ds i t i n
s l i ppi ng through the vegetati on. Good swi mmers but weak
fi ers, they often cross wi de ti dal channel s.
Nests are usual l y pl aced on a hi gh spot i n the marsh
or may be woven i nto the stal ks and l eaves some di stance
above the mud and water. Hi gh spri ng ti des endanger
the nests and many are destroyed by foodi ng. Si x to 1 4
eggs are l ai d whi ch both parents are thought to i ncubate.
I n about 1 4 days the young hatch-smal l bal l s of j et
bl ack down.
YELLOW RAIL i s onl y sl i ghtl y
l arger than the Bl ack (6-7 i n. ) but
l ives i n sal t- and fresh-water
marshes. Has a white wing patch
i n fi ght. Sci. name: Coturnicops
noveborancensis.
o
2 kA| |5
TWO RARER RAILS
BLACK RAIL is a smal l (5-6 i n. )
sl ate-bl ack bi rd marked by white
spots on its back and fai nt bars
on the abdomen. An uncommon
bi rd of fresh and sal t marshes.
Sci . name: lateral/us ;amaicensis.
Cl appers cal l often in the marsh and a l oud noi se wi l l
often set of a resoundi ng chorus. Thei r voi ce i s a harsh
cak-cak-cak repeated i n a descendi ng tone. Cl appers
feed mai nl y on fddl ers and other smal l crabs, shri mp,
mussel s, other smal l mol l usks and smal l fsh. Al l ar e
eaten avi dl y. No pl ant food i s taken. Cl appers ar e often
hunted from boats pol ed through the marsh at hi gh ti de.
Local names: Marsh Hen, Sal t
water Marsh Hen
Scientifc name: Ra/lus longirostris
Wei ghts: Average Record
Mal e
Femal e
Si ze: 1 4- 1 6 i n.
l b. oz. l b. oz.
0 1 2 1 0
0 1 1 0 1 2
Fl ight speeds: N o i nformati on
kA||5 3
SORA RAI L is the most abundant and wi despread N. A.
rai l , but i t is smal l and often i gnored. Note the browni sh
back, gray underparts, and the bl ack face patch. Soras
fy better than other rai l s and may cover 3,000 mi l es dur
i ng mi grati on. Soras nest in fresh-water marshes, l ayi ng
10 to 12 eggs i n a wel l -woven nest. Mal e and femal e.
i ncubate the eggs, whi ch hatch i n about 1 4 days. The
bl ack, downy young have a tuft of stif, yel l ow chi n feath
ers. I n s ummer, Soras feed on i nsects, crustaceans and
smal l shel l fsh. I n wi nter, t hey take seeds or aquati c pl ants.
Thei r cal l is a cl ear, rapi d, descendi ng "whi n ny," repeated
over and over agai n. Despi te thei r smal l si ze, the Sora
94 kA| |5
Rai l i s an i mportant game s peci es
i n the Mi ddl e Atl anti c states.
Local names: Carol i na Rai l , Rai l -
bi rd, Ortol an
Scientifc name: Porzona carolina
Weights: Average Record
Mal e
Femal e
Size: 8- 1 0 i n.
Flight speeds:
l b. oz. l b. oz.
0 2 0 3
0 2 0 2. 8
No i nformati on
GALLI NULES are margi nal gamebi rds, not often sought
by hunters, t hough they are good eati ng. The Common
Gal l i nul e, t he most abundant of t he two speci es, i s a
duck- l i ke bi rd wi th a bri ght red bi l l . A patch of whi te
under the tai l and a whi te stri pe on the si de hel p i denti
fcati on. I t prefers open, fresh-water marshes where i t
swi ms and dives wel l . The bri ghtl y col ored Pur pl e Gal
l i nul e i s a southern bi rd of l arger marshes and deeper
water. I ts l ong toes support i t on l i l y pads and foati ng
vegetati on. Both gal l i nul es nest i n the marsh grass, l ayi ng
1 0 to 1 2 eggs. Gal l i nul es eat marsh pl ants-mai nl y seeds
but some roots and l eaves-and a few s mal l ani mal s .
Local names: Pond Chi cken, Bl ue
Peter
Scientifc names:
Purpl e: Porphyrula martinica
Common: Gallinula chloropus
Wei ghts: Average Record
Common Gal l i nul e
l b. oz. l b. oz.
Mal e 1 0 1 0
Femol e 0 1 1 0 1 2
Purpl e Gal l i nul e about 3 oz. l i ghter.
Size: 1 2 1 4 i n. (both)
Fl ight speeds: No i nformati on
kA||5 95
COOTS are known to mi l l i ons as Mud Hens. Hardl y a
body of fresh water in North Ameri ca is wi thout coots at
l east some ti me duri ng the year. Coots are easi l y i den
tifed by thei r chunky sl ate-gray bodi es, bl ack heads and
white bi l l s. They are the most aquati c members of thei r
fami l y and have devel oped faps or l obes on thei r toes
to ai d i n swi mmi ng. Thi s they do wel l , and dive expertl y,
too. They are not strong fi ers and, when taki ng of from
the water, they patter al ong for a consi derabl e di stance.
Once i n fi ght, the whi te trai l i ng edge of the i nner wi ng
is a conspi cuous fel d mark. Coots are hardy and remai n
in northern marshes unti l forced out by i ce. I n spri ng they
return earl y, arri vi ng soon after the frst bi g thaw.
Coots eat al most anythi {g. They prefer vegetabl e
foods-seeds, l eaves and roots of aquati c pl ants. They
al so graze on nearby l and and may destroy young crops.
Ani mal foods i ncl ude i nsects, snai l s, tadpol es, worms and
smal l fshes. Thei r voi ce i s l oud and vari ed. Coots make a
vari ety of grunts, squawks, cackl i ng and cl ucki ng sounds.
Sound tracks of thi s unusual array of cal l s from one bi rd
are dubbed i nto fl ms and tapes to provi de "j ungl e back
ground" for movi es and tel evi si on.
kA||5
Coots make thei r nests i n dense stands of cattai l or
bul rushes. The nest is occasi onal l y exposed; someti mes i t
foats, anchored to nearby vegetati on. Both mal e and fe
mal e i ncubate 8 to I 2 eggs for about 3 weeks. The downy
young swi m and di ve wi th thei r parents.
DETAI L OF FOOT AND BI LL
Local names: Mud Hen, Crowbi l l ,
Bl ue Peter
Scientifc name:
Fulica americana
Wei ghts: Average
Mal e
Femal e
l b. oz.
1 4
1
Record
l b. oz.
1 1 0
1 5
Si ze: 1 3- 1 6 i n.
Fl i ght speeds: No i nformation
kA| |5 97
SHOREBI RDS
Shorebi rds are found i n wet pl aces throughout the worl d.
There are about 50North Ameri can speci es i ncl udi ng pl o
vers, turnstones, woodcock, sni pe and sandpi pers. Onl y
two speci es are consi dered gamebi rds. Most shorebi rds
are mi gratory, breedi ng north to the Arctic and wi nteri ng
i n t he far Sout h. Duri ng much of the year shorebi rds are
found i n . l arge focks whi ch i ncl ude several speci es. The
aeri al gyrati ons of these focks are an avi an wonder.
As a group, s horebi rds have l ong, poi nted wi ngs, short
tai l s and l ong l egs. They prefer wet l ocati ons, though
some have become adapted to dri er condi ti ons. Al l wal k
or r un rapi dl y; many swi m wel l . Four l arge, sharpl y
poi nted eggs are l ai d. The protecti vel y col ored young
run about s hortl y after hatchi ng. I nvertebrates ( i nsects,
mol l usks and worms) and smal l fsh are pri nci pal foods.
COMMON SNI PE, widel y di stri buted i n North Ameri ca,
i s i denti fed by i ts bol dl y stri ped head and l ong bi l l . Sni pe
prefer wet meadows, marshes and bogs where thei r
brown stri ped backs make them difcul t to see. When
fushed, sni pe fy l ow and erratical l y, givi ng a harsh
scaipe. Mi grati ng, they fy hi gh, usual l y at ni ght. Most
are found in the southern states duri ng the wi nter.
98 5HOk8| k05
The courtshi p of the sni pe i ncl udes a fi ght "song"
probabl y produced by vi brati ng the outer tai l feathers.
Four brown, bl otched eggs are l ai d i n a grass- l i ned de
pressi on. Both sexes i ncubate for about 1 8 to 20 days.
Sni pe probe i n mud and soft earth wi th t hei r l ong bi l l s.
I nsects make up about hal f of thei r di et, wi th worms,
crustaceans and snai l s al so i mportant. Sni pe were once
abundant. Overshooti ng has depl eted the speci es, but
recent protecti on has al l owed a recovery.
Local names: Jack Sni pe, Engl i sh
Sni pe
Scientifc name: Capella galli nago
Weights: Average Record
l b. oz. l b. az.
Mal e 0 4. 2 0 5. 5
Femal e 0 4. 2 0 5. 5
Size: 1 0 1 1 i n.
Fl i ght speeds: No i nformation
5HOk8| k05 99
AMERICAN WOODCOCK is quite common, but rarel y
seen, t hroughout much of eastern North Ameri ca. They
rel y on thei r excel l ent protective col orati on and wi l l not
fush unti l al most stepped on. Thei r l ong bi l l s, chunky
bodi es, short necks and tai l s are di sti ncti ve. Un l i ke most
s horebi rds, thei r wi ngs are rounded. Wooded swamps,
al der t hi ckets and moi st, l eafy bottom l ands are preferred
habitats. The posi ti on of the woodcock' s eyes i s qui te un
usual -they are set far back and hi gh on the head. This
enabl es the bi rd to see i n a compl ete ci rcl e wi thout mov
ing its head. Mi grati on, governed by the freezi ng and
t hawi ng of the ground, i s l at e i n fal l and earl y i n spri ng.
When mi grati ng, woodcocks fy l ow and at ni ght.
The unusual courtshi p of the woodcock takes pl ace i n
l ate eveni ng and earl y morni ng when l i ght i s very di m.
The mal e fnds an open grassy spot and al ternates hi s
strutti ng about wi th a s pectacul ar spi ral fi ght. Duri ng thi s
fi ght a soft twitteri ng i s made, perhaps by the modi fed
wi ng feathers. No pai ri ng of takes pl ace and one mal e
may mat e wi th several femal es. The nest, contai ni ng four
eggs, i s a s l i ght hol l ow i n the ground. The femal e al one
i ncubates for about 21 days. Woodcok fy i n two weeks
and are f ul l y grown i n 25 days. Earthworms are its maj or
food and a bi rd may consume its own wei ght dai l y.
Detai l of wi ng showi ng modi fed pri maries
1 00 5k k5
Local names: Ti mber
Wood Sni pe, Bog Sucker
Scientifc name: Philohela
Wei ghts: Average
Mal e
Femal e
Size: 1 0- 1 2 i n.
Flight speeds:
l b. oz.
0 6. 2
0 7. 7
13 mph
Doodl e,
minor
Record
l b. oz.
0 7. 8
0 9. 8
5HOk8| k05 I 0 I
Gol den Pl over
1 02 5HOk8| k05
ONCE COMMON
SHOREBIRDS
CURLEWS are l arge, attractive
sandpi pers, once ki l l ed i n great
numbers. Al l are tal l bi rds wi th l ong
down-curved bi l l s. The Eski mo Cur
l ew (Numenius borealis, 1 2- 1 4 i n. )
may now be exti nct. The long-bi l l ed
Cur l ew (Numenius americanus, 20-
26 i n. ) i s the l argest cur l ew; a bi rd
of the prai ri e states, it is sl owl y re
coveri ng i n numbers. The smal l er
Whi mbr el , or Hudsoni an Cur l ew
(Numenius
p
haeo
p
us, 1 5- 1 8 i n. )
breeds i n the Arcti c and mi grates
al ong the coasts. I t i s sti l l the com
monest curl ew.
AMERI CAN GOLDEN PLOVER
breeds i n t he Arcti c, then sets a non
st op mi gratory record over water.
Those from the eastern Arctic around
Bafn I s. go to southern South Amer
i ca. Those from the western Arcti c
and Si beri a go to central Paci fc i s
l ands. Breedi ng pl umage i s bl ack,
fecked wi th yel l ow. I n wi nter the
bi rds are browni sh and i nconspi cu
ous. Once abundant, these bi rds
were al most wi ped out by market
hunters. Now they are hol di ng thei r
own. Si ze: 1 0- 1 1 i n. ; sci enti fc name:
Pluvialis dominica.
NO LONGER
GAMEBI RDS
GODWITS ore l arge shorebi rds
wi th s l i ghtl y upturned bi l l s. The
Marbl ed Godwi t (Limosa fedoa, 1 6-
20 i n. ) is the l argest i n N. A. These
ci nnamon bi rds, wi th l ong, pi nk
based bi l l s, breed on grassy prai ri es
but mi grate to the coasts. They feed
on l ake s hores i n fal l and beaches
i n wi nter. The smal l er Hudsoni an
Godwi t (Limosa haemastica, 1 4- 1 6
i n. ) fol l ows t he l ong mi grati on route
of the Gol den Pl over ( p. 1 02). Both
speci es were t hreatened because of
overshooti ng. Now thei r numbers are
i ncreasi ng.
UPLAND PLOVER, a sl i m, graceful
bi r d wi t h a short, thi n beak, i s not a
true pl over but bel ongs to the sand
pi per fami l y. These prai ri e bi rds
spread eastward as forests were
cl eared, becomi ng common in fel ds
and pastures. Market hunti ng i n the
1 880' s and ' 90' s al most wi ped them
out. Thi s nondescri pt browni sh bi rd
often perches on fence posts, hol d
i ng wi ngs u p for a moment after
al ighti ng. Fl i ght swift and buoyant,
with down-curved wi ngs. Si ze: 1 1 - 1 3
i n. ; sci enti fc name: Bartramia longi
cauda.
Marbled
5HOk8| k05 1 03
PI GEONS AND DOVES
Nostri l s open through a
cere - an overgrowth at
t he base of the upper bi l l .
Foot adapted for wal ki ng.
Some 289 speci es of doves and pi geons have been de
scri bed by orni thol ogists, but on l y ni ne were regul arl y
found i n North Ameri ca. One of these, the Passenger
Pi geon ( p. 1 7) has been ext i nct si nce 1 9 1 4. There i s no
real di ference between pi geons and doves, al t hough the
l arger speci es are cal l ed pi geons. Most have the general
form of the Common Pi geon or Rock Dove-chunky, wi t h
a smal l head and sl i m bi l l . Most feed on t he ground.
Heavy breast muscl es and poi nted wi ngs provi de power
for strong, rapi d fi ght.
Pi geons and doves bui l d a fragi l e nest where one or
two whi te eggs are l ai d. These are i ncubated by both
sexes for about 1 4 to 1 9 days. The young are ready to
l eave the n est in 1 2 to 1 8 days. Duri ng the frst week the
young bi rds are fed a secreti on of the adul ts' crops cal l ed
"pi geon mi l k. " The food of pi geons and doves i s al most
al l seeds, fruits and berri es. They are quite dependent
upon a suppl y of water. Unl i ke most other bi rds, t hey
dri nk by sucki ng up water. Onl y three of t he Nort h Amer
i can speci es are i mportant gamebi rds and of these three
the Mourni ng Dove is outstandi ng.
I 04 P| CON5 AN0 0OV5
Local names: Turtl e Dove, long
tai l ed Dove, Wi l d Dove
Sci enti fc name: Zenaidura
macroura
Wei ghts:
Mal e
Femal e
Si ze: 1 1 - 1 3 i n.
Average
l b. oz.
0 4. 5
0 4. 4
Fl i ght speeds: 40 mph
Record
lb. oz.
0 6. 0
0 5. 5
Mour ni ng Dove i n the East
P| CON5 AN0 0OV5 I 05
In the Southwest
ern Canadi an provi nces to Mexi co. Thei r
smal l heads, sl i m, streaml i ned bodi es and
l ong, poi nted tai l s are di sti ncti ve. Mourni ng
Doves are probabl y as abundant today as
t hey have ever been. They have benefted by the cl ear
i ng of forests and the openi ng of new l and.
The food of Mourni ng Doves i s al most enti rel y weed
seeds and waste grai n. They prefer smal l seeds but corn,
peanuts and soybeans are taken. li ke other doves, they
are dependent on water and dri nk at l east once a day.
Mourni ng Doves are equal l y at home i n the humi d East
or the ari d porti ons of the West wherever food and water
can be found. They are hi ghl y mi gratory, wi nteri ng i n
t he southern states and i n Mexi co. They mi grate s l owl y,
AGE of juveni l e bi rds (wi ng co
verts ore l i ght ti pped) con be tol d
by the pri mary feather l ast moult
ed. The frst one is the i nnermost.
Primary Days Primary Days
First 40-45 Si xth 9 1 -98
Second 46-56 Seventh 99-1 1 5
Thi rd 57-68 Ei
g
hth 1 1 6- 1 30
Fourth 69-78 Ni nth 1 3 1 - 1 50
Fi fth 79-90 Tenth Over 1 50
1 06 P| CON5 AN0 0OV5
perhaps 1 5 mi l es in 24 hours, usual l y fyi ng i n the morn
i ng and eveni ng, and feedi ng duri ng the day.
Duri ng the l ong breedi ng season a si ngl e pai r may
nest si x ti mes. The fi msy nest i s usual l y i n a tree or shr ub
but may be on the ground. Many nest i n towns and on
farms. Far m s hel ter bel ts are favored si tes. The two white
eggs are i ncubated by both sexes for about 1 4 or 1 5
days. The young squabs are naked when hatched, but
grow rapi dl y and l eave t he nest i n about two weeks. A
compl ete nesti ng cycl e from courtshi p to fedgi ng takes
about one mont h.
The voi ce of the Mourni ng Dove i s a soft, fve-syl l abl ed
coo. Mourni ng Doves are very i mportant gamebi rds.
About 20,000,000 are ki l l ed annual l y, more t han al l
waterfowl combi ned.
over 1 50 doys
P| CON5 AN0 0OV5 1 07
WHITE-WI NGED DOVES wi th thei r square
tai l s and white wi ng patches are unmistak
abl e. They are l arger and stocki er than
Mourni ng Doves. White-wi ngs are found i n
the Southwest and throughout Mexi co where
they are very abundant in some areas. They l eave the
United States i n wi nter, returni ng i n Apri l . More gregari
ous than Mourni ng Doves, they move i n focks even duri ng
the breedi ng season. Nesti ng takes pl ace i n col oni es, usu
al l y i n smal l dense trees l i ke mesqui te or hackberry or
even some of the l arger cacti . The l oose nest of sti cks or
straw i s pl aced at a j uncti on of l i mbs from 6 to 20 ft.
above the ground. Two bufy-whi te eggs are l ai d; one
often fai l s to hatch. The femal es i ncubate most of the
1 5 to 1 7 days. Probabl y two broods are rai sed i n each
good year and onl y one i n dry seasons. Water i s essenti al
t o Whi te-wi ngs. Droughts al ways cause seri ous popul ati on
decl i nes.
Mal es have a soft persi stent coo whi ch i s often wri tten
as "Who cooks for you?" wi th accent on the l ast word.
Duri ng spri ng and summer the bi rds are noi sy, especial l y
morni ngs and eveni ngs. Thei r notes are not l oud but
carry l ong di stances. Seeds are a maj or food but fl eshy
frui ts, such as cactus, are o. ften i mportant.
feedi ng young
Local names: Whi te-wi ngs; Sonora
Pi geon
Scientifc name:
Wei ghts:
Mal e
Femal e
Si ze: 1 1 - 1 2 i n.
Fl ight speeds:
Zenaida asiatica
Average Record
l b. oz. l b. oz.
0 5. 8 0 7. 3
0 5. 5 0 6. 7
No i nformati on
P| CON5 AN0 0OV5 1 09
BAND-TAI LED PI GEON is a bi rd of west
ern mountai ns and foothi l l s, preferri ng an
area where there ar e both oaks and conifers.
They l ike rugged country, wi th steep sl opes
and canyons. Thei r fi ght i s strong and di rect.
At times they i ndul ge i n spectacul ar di ves al ong the
rocky sl opes. The compact body, rounded tai l and white
crescent on the back of the neck are determi ni ng fel d
marks. These bi rds resembl e the Rock Dove or Common
Pi geon of city streets, but they are bi rds of tal l trees,
rarel y seen on the ground. They mi grate from the north
ern part of thei r range i n l ei surel y fashi on i n l ate fal l .
Duri ng wi nter focks wander wi del y i n search of food.
Band-tai l s nest si ngl y but may al so be found i n l oose col
oni es. The nest is usual l y pl aced on a tree l i mb but is
occasi onal l y on the ground. A si ngl e whi te egg i s usual l y
l ai d but someti mes there ar e two. Both sexes i ncubate and
brood t he young. I ncubati on takes about 1 8 days and i t
is al most a month before the young pi geons l eave the
nest. Duri ng t he breedi ng season mal es give a l oud owl
l i ke hoot or coo, usual l y of two notes. The summer food
consi sts of berries and frui ts; the wi nter, of acorns and
pi ne seeds. Restricted hunti ng seasons now protect Band
tai l s from overshooti ng.
I I 0 PI GON5 AN0 0OV5
Local names: Bl ue Pi geon, Whi te-
col l ared Pi geon, Bl ue Rock
Scientifc name: Co/umbo fasciata
Weights: Average Record
Mal e
Femal e
Size: 1 5.5 i n.
Fl ight speeds:
l b. oz. l b. oz.
0 1 3. 1 0 1 5.5
0 1 2. 8 0 1 4. 0
No i nformation
P| CON5 AN0 0OV5
GROUND DOVE (6-7 i n. ) is hardly l arger than a spar
row, wi th a short, sturdy tai l . They are often seen on the
ground noddi ng thei r heads as they wal k. Found i n pi ne
woods, orchards or al ong di rt roads i n the coastal pl ai ns
fr om the Carol i nas to Texas, they are qui te tame and
often come to gardens and bi rd feeders. When fushed,
they fy l ow and sel dom go far before droppi ng back to
the ground. The si mpl e nest i s usual l y in a l ow bush or on
the ground. Two white eggs are i ncubated for about 1 2 to
1 4 days. Smal l seeds are the most i mportant food. Sci .
name: Columbigallina
p
asserine.
I NCA DOVE, (8 i n. ) a bi rd of the ari d Southwest, has
feathers wi th dark edgi ngs, maki ng the dove appear
scal ed. Thi s and the l ong, whi te-edged tai l ore fel d marks.
These smal l doves con be seen on the ground i n parks and
gardens i n towns. I n spr i ng and summer they occur si ngl y
or in pai rs but i n wi nter they form s mal l focks. The nest,
i n a bush or tree, often near houses, i s mode of fne twi gs.
Two whi te eggs ore i ncubated for about two weeks. The
I nca Dove has a monotonous doubl e- noted cooi ng cal l .
Sci . nome: Scardafel/a inca.
WHITE-FRONTED DOVE is a I orge ( 1 2 i n. ) dark
backed, l i ght-bel l i ed bi rd found from Mexico southward.
I n the United States it is onl y seen i n the Lower Ri o
Grande Vol l ey of Texas. Thi s bi rd of dense brushl ands
spends most of its ti me on the ground, but con fy rapi dl y
through thi ck growth. I t never forms focks. The nest, wi th
2 eggs, i s pl aced i n a l ow thicket, tangl e of vi nes, or on
.
the ground. Whi te-fronts feed al ong trai l s or roods but
sel dom i n the open. Seeds and frui ts ore thei r stapl e di et.
Thei r cal l i s a soft three- noted coo. Sci . nome: Le
p
tohila
fulviventris.
I I 2 P| CON5 AN0 0OV5
P| CON5 AN0 0OV5 I I 3
WHITE-CROWNED PI GEON, a West I ndi an speci es,
occurs on the southern ti p of Fl ori da and the Fl ori da Keys.
The whi te crown contrasts sharpl y wi th its s l aty pl umage.
The fl i ght of t hese l arge pi geons ! 4 i n. ) i s hi gh and di rect.
Whi te-crowns breed on mangrove i sl ands. The nest i s wel l
made for a pi geon, l i ned wi th grass, an d contai ns two
white eggs. Fruits of many trees are eaten. In the Bahamas
and West I ndi es thi s bi rd i s an i mportant game speci es.
Sci . name: Columba leucoce
p
hala.
RED-BI LLED PI GEON i s a l arge ! 3 i n. ) dark pi geon
of Mexi co, Central Ameri ca and south Texas. The tai l i s
broad and rounded, the bi l l smal l . The nest i s a pl atorm
of sti cks pl aced i n heavy brush or vi nes. A si ngl e, g l ossy
white egg is usual . Frui ts are eaten in summer; seeds and
waste gr ai ns i n wi nter. Cl eari ng of brush l ands may el i mi
nate t hi s pi geon from U. S. Sci . name: Columba favirostris.
! I 4 PI CON5 AN0
GALLI NACEOUS GAMEBI RDS
The Gal l i naceous or Upl and Gamebi rds are probabl y the
most i mportant order of bi rds to man. The common chicken
i s a promi nent member of the group, whi ch i ncl udes
pheasants, turkeys, quai l , and grouse. Of 240 speci es,
some I 8 are native to North Ameri ca and were ori gi nal l y
found in al most al l habi tats. Three more speci es have
been successful l y i ntroduced.
I n si ze these chi cken- l i ke bi rds vary from six-ounce quai l
t o 20-pound turkeys. Al l , however, have pl ump bodi es,
l arge, wel l - devel oped breast muscl es, and short, t hi ck
bi l l s. Thei r feet are strong and adapted for wal ki ng. They
scratch for a l ivi ng and if not pressed too cl osel y, prefer
to wal k or run rather than fy, though they are capabl e
of strong, r api d fi ght for short di stances. The wi ngs of
most speci es whi rr l oudl y on take-of.
Some gal l i naceous bi rds have adapted to changi ng
conditi ons and are hol di ng t hei r own or i ncreasi ng.
Others, however, need mor e speci al ized habi tats and
have decl i ned shar pl y. One, t he Heath Hen, a form of
Prai ri e Chi cken, has become exti nct.
P| CON5 AN0 0OV5 I I 5
UPLAND GAMEBI RD CLASSI FICATI ON
North Ameri can gal l i naceous bi rds ore grouped i nto
three fami l i es. The fi rst of these three fami l i es contai ns the
grouse. The second fami l y, mode up of three subfami l ies,
encompasses the quai l , partri dges and pheasants. Fi nal l y,
the turkeys form a fami l y of thei r own.
GROUSE ( pp. I I 8- I 3 ! ) or e North
ern Hemi sphere bi rds wi th short,
down-curved bi l l s and feathered
nostri l s. Thei r l egs (torsi ) ore portl y
or compl etel y feathered, and the
toes of some ore al so feathered as
on ai d i n wal ki ng on soft s now. Most
hove a bore col ored patch over the
eye. Mol es ore l arger t han femal es
and many hove I orge, i nfatabl e ai r
sacs on the neck. Food i s mai nl y
l eaves, buds, frui ts, and some i nsects.
TURKEYS ( pp. 1 42- 1 44) ore l arge,
non-mi gratory, gregari ous New
Worl d bi rds of open woodl ands.
There are onl y two speci es, the Tur
key and Ocel l ated Turkey. Mal es,
much l arger than femal es, have
spurs on thei r bare tarsi . The feet ore
naked; mol es hove a trace of web
between the toes. Bi l l short; ski n of
head and neck is bore and bri ghtl y
col ored i n mal e. Fl i ght i s strong but
of short durati on. Food i s acorns,
frui t, seeds, and i nsects.
I ! dP|AN0 CAM8| k05
QUAI L ( pp. 1 32- 1 41 ) are smal l to
medi um-si zed New Worl d bi rds
whi ch have a si ngl e smal l proj ecti on
or "tooth" on thei r bi l l s Thei r l egs
and feet are not feathered and the
mal e has no spur. Both mal e and
femal e are about the same si ze.
Quai l are chi cken- l i ke, non- mi gra
tory bi rds. They are monogamous
ground-nesters.
PARTRI DGES ( pp. 1 48- 1 5 1 ) are
medi um-si zed Ol d Worl d bi rds,
pl umper t han quai l . Thei r bi l l s l ack
the "tooth" serrati on. Both feet and
l egs are f r ee of feathers. Al l ar e
ground- nesters. Two speci es have
been i ntroduced i nto North Amer
ica from Eurasi a and are now wel l
establ i shed.
EASANTS ( pp. 1 46- 1 47) are Ol d
Worl d bi rds, l arger than quai l and
partri dges, t hat r each t hei r maxi mum
devel opment i n t he hi ghl ands of
Asi a. Legs and feet are bare; mal es
devel op l arge spurs, are l arger, and
more bri ghtl y col ored t han femal es.
Both have characteri sti c l ong, arched
tai l s, better devel oped i n the mal e.
Gray Partr
i
dge
dP|AN0 CAM8| k05 1 1 7
RUFFED GROUSE are about t he si ze of ban
tam chi ckens. Thei r fan-shaped tai l s and neck
"rufs" make them easy to i denti fy. Two di s
t i nct col or phases exi st: red, more common i n
t he southern part of t he range, and gray i n
the Nort h and West. Mal es are l ar ger and more strongl y
marked than femal es. I n wi nter both grow horny combs
on t hei r toes whi ch act as "snowshoes. "
Rufed Grouse need coni fers for wi nter cover, hard
wood and brush for spri ng and summer, and open spots
for dusti ng and sunni ng. Abandoned farms and orchards
are i deal . I n l ate spri ng the mal e stands on a l og or
stump and makes a l oud "dr ummi ng" by beati ng t he ai r
rapi dl y wi th hi s wi ngs. Each mates wi th sever al femal es.
The nest i s on t he ground, often near a t ree or rock. The
femal e i ncubates 9 to 1 2 bufy eggs for about 24 days.
Young grouse run about i mmedi atel y and fy a bi t when
onl y 1 2 days ol d.
Frui t, l eaves and buds make up t he di et of adul t
Rufed Grouse. The young take many i nsects. Rufed
Grouse have a varyi ng popul ati on cycl e. Years of abun
dance are fol l owed by years of extreme scarci ty. Grouse
need and often recei ve protecti on dur i ng the l ow phase
of thei r popul ati on cycl e, whi ch seems to occur about
every ei ght to ten years.
TAI L MARKI NGS
! ! 8 CkOd5
Local names: Partri dge, Pheasant
Sci enti fc name: Bonasa umbel/us
Wei ghts: Average Record
Mal e
Femal e
Size: 1 6 1 9 i n.
l b. oz. l b. oz.
1 5 1 1 1
1 2 1 B
Fl i ght speeds: 22 mph
CkOd5 1 1 9
SAGE GROUSE, the l argest North Ameri can
grouse, is dark gray-brown on the back wi th
a bl ack bel l y patch and a l ong, poi nted tai l .
Mal es are muc h l arger and more di sti nctl y
marked t han the femal es. They were formerl y
abundant i n ari d sagebrush pl ai ns and foothi l l s but
far mi ng, grazi ng, and the systemati c destructi on of sage
brush have reduced the popu l ati on greatl y. I n earl y
spri ng Sage Grouse gather together i n an open strutti ng
ground. Here, at dawn, t he mal es strut and di spl ay for
prospecti ve mates. They spread thei r l ong tai l s i nto fans,
droop thei r wi ngs, and i nfl ate and defate ai r sacs on
the neck and breast, maki ng a strange "pl oppi ng" sound.
One mal e may mate wi th several femal es.
The nest, a depressi on under a sagebrush, contai ns
from 7 to 1 3 ol i ve-buf eggs spotted wi th brown. These
hatch i n about 22 days. The young are acti ve very soon
after hatchi ng. The femal e al one i ncubates the eggs and
car es for the young.
Sage Grouse do not have a muscul ar gi zzard l i ke other
grouse. Thei r t hi n-wal l ed stomachs are adapted to soft
foods-the l eaves of sagebrush, suppl emented i n summer
by l eaves and frui t of ot her pl ant s as wel l as grasshoppers
and vari ous other i nsects.
Sage Grouse strutti ng grounds.
Local name: Sage Hen
Sci enti fc name: Centrocercus
urophasianus
Weights:
Mal e
Femal e
Sizes:
Male 2830 i n.
Femal e 2 1 -22 i n.
Average
l b. oz.
5 1 0
2 1 0
Fl i ght speeds: 2 8 mph
Record
l b. oz.
8 0
3 3
CkOd5 1 2 1
SHARP-TAI LED GROUSE is l arge wi th a
poi nted tai l . Its l i ght-brown back is spotted
wi th whi te and the breast appears streaked.
I n fl i ght the l i ght tai l is conspi cuous. Both
mal es and femal es are al i ke.
Sharp-tai l s are found i n open brush country or i n ad
j acent prai ri e. Thei r numbers fl uctuate wi th t he amount
of habitat avai l abl e. lumberi ng caused an i ncrease of
avai l abl e open l and and hence of bi rds. Thi s was fol
l owed by a decl i ne as forests grew up agai n. I n spri ng,
Sharp-tai l s gat her for courtshi p dances. The mal es rai se
thei r tai l s, droop thei r wi ngs, and run about wi th short,
stampi ng steps, maki ng l ow, cooi ng noi ses. It i s thought
that some dances of the Pl ai ns I ndi ans may have been
patterned after those of the Sharp-tai l s. I n addi ti on,
Sharp-tai l s have a vari ety of cackl i ng, gobbl i ng cal l s.
The femal es nest on the ground, l ayi ng from 1 0 to 1 3
brown speckl ed, ol i ve eggs. The yel l owi sh chi cks hatch
i n about 2 1 days, run about i n a few days, and can fy
i n about two weeks. I nsects form an i mportant part of the
di et but l eaves, fowers and frui t make up the bul k of
food consumed. In wi nter, buds are a maj or i tem. Care
ful management may be necessary to mai ntai n sui tabl e
habi tat for t hi s speci es.
Mal es danci ng duri ng courtshi p.
1 22 CkOd5
Local name: Sharptai l
Sci enti fc name: Pedioecetes
phasiane//us
Weights:
Mal e
Femal e
Size: 1 7. 5 i n.
Average
l b. oz.
2 1
1 2
Fl i ght speeds: 33 mph
Record
l b. oz.
2 7
2 3
CkOd5 1 23
GREATER PRAI RI E CHI CKEN is a hen-si zed
grouse of prai ri es and grassl ands i denti fed
by i ts rounded tai l and heavi l y bar red under
parts. The Heath Hen ( p. 1 7), an Atl anti c
coast subspeci es, has been exti nct si nce 1 932.
Si nce the mi d- 1 800' s, when Prai ri e Chi ckens were abun
dant i n Mi dwest prai ri es, thei r habi tat has been reduced
by agri cul ture and t he bi rds shot unti l thei r numbers have
decl i ned sharpl y.
The mal es gather on "boomi ng grounds" i n earl y spri ng
for courtshi p and mati ng. Each mal e has a terri tory
about 30 feet i n di ameter where he dances and "booms. "
The l oud cal l s, produced by orange ai r sacs, can be
heard for a mi l e. The mal es stamp thei r feet, erect thei r
neck feathers, spread out thei r tai l s, bl ow t hei r ai r sacs,
and i ndul ge i n battl es wi th thei r nei ghbors.
The femal es l ay about 1 2 eggs i n a grass- l i ned depres
si on. The spotted, ol i ve- buf eggs hatch in about 2 1 days.
The young run around i mmedi atel y and begi n to fy i n
about two weeks.
Prai ri e Chi ckens eat i nsects, l eaves and fruits in sum
mer. Seeds and waste grai n are i mportant foods the rest
of the year. These grouse have a vari ety of cackl i ng cal l s
much l i ke those of barnyard chi ckens.
Boomi ng grounds.
1 24 CkOd5
Local names:
Prai ri e Hens
Sci enti fc name:
cupido
Weights:
Mal e
Femal e
Size: 18 i n.
Fl i ght speeds:
Pi nnated Grouse,
Tympanuchus
Average
l b. oz.
2 3
1 1 3
Record
l b. oz.
3 0
2 4
No i nformation
CkOd5 1 25
LESSER PRAI RI E CHICKEN, a pal er, smal l
er bi rd of t he short grass pl ai ns, was formerl y
found i n huge numbers but has di mi ni shed
greatl y. Most now occur i n the Panhandl e of
Texas and adj acent Okl ahoma. Thei r court
shi p is qui te s i mi l ar to that of the Greater Prai r i e Chicken.
The ai r sacs on the mal e are reddi sh rather t han orange,
and thei r "boomi ng" i s di ferent i n pitch. The nest, wel l
conceal ed, may contai n a dozen creamy, spotted buf
eggs. The young resembl e t hose of the Greater Prai ri e
Chi cken. Grasshoppers form an i mportant summer food,
but seeds and waste grai n ore i mportant al l year.
I 2 CkOd5
Local name: Pi n nated Grouse
Sci enti fc name: Tympanuchus
pallidicinctus
Weights:
Mal e
Femal e
Size: 16 i n.
Average
l b. oz.
1 1 2
1 9
Record
l b. oz.
2 0
1 1 0
Fl i ght speeds: N o i nformati on
BLUE GROUSE of western mountai n forests
i s a l arge, dark grouse. The mal e i s more
strongl y marked than the browner femal e. li n
summer they prefer aspen groves an d wi l l ow
thi ckets. I n wi nter they reverse the usual mi
grati on patter n and move up the mountai ns to coni ferous
forests. The mal es, i n spri ng, strut l ike turkeys and " hoot"
l oudl y. Thei r pur pl i sh or yel l ow ai r sacs have borders of
white feathers. The femal e lays 7 to 1 0 buf, s potted eggs
i n a ground depressi on. After the young hatch, the femal e
protects t hem aggressi vel y. I n wi nter these grouse l ive
al most excl usi vel y on coni fer needl es.
Local names: Gray Grouse,
Dusky Grouse, Fool Hen
Sci enti fc name: Dendragapus
obscurus
Weights:
Mal e
Femal e
Average
l b. oz.
2 1 3
1 1 4
Record
l b. oz.
3 8
Size: Mal e: 2 1 i n. ; Femal e: 1 8 i n.
fi i ght speeds: No i nformati on
CkOd5 I 27
forests is very tame and easi l y ki l l ed. Thi s
tameness gi ves it the name "Fool Hen. " The
stri ki ng bl ack underparts of the mal e, barred
wi th whi te, make i t a handsome bi rd. The fe
mal e i s sma l l er, browner, and l acks the bl ack bel l y. Mal es
have a pecul i ar courtshi p di spl ay. They fy from tree to
tree, pausi ng i n the ai r to make a whi rr i ng noi se by fl ut
teri ng their wi ngs.
The femal es make a grass- l i ned depressi on and l ay
bufy, brown- bl otched eggs whi ch hatch i n about 1 7 days.
The summer di et of Spruce Grouse i ncl udes l eaves, fruits,
and some i nsects. I n wi nter, coni fer needl es are eaten.
I 28 CkOd5
Local names: Fool Hen, Spruce
Partri dge, Canada Grouse
Scientifc name: Canachites
canadensis
Weights:
Mal e
Fe mol e
Si ze: 1 5 1 7 i n.
Fl ight speeds:
Average Record
lb. oz. l b. oz.
1 4 8
0 1 5
1
No i nformati on
PTARMIGAN are bantam-si zed grouse of t he Arcti c and
subarcti c t undr a. Of our three speci es, two, the Wi l l ow
and Rock Ptar mi gan, al so occur in the Ol d Worl d. Ptar
mi gans have superb protecti ve col orati on and are qui te
tame. I n summer they are mottl ed brown, white-wi nged
bi rds. I n wi nter they turn snowy whi te and grow hai r
l i ke feathers on thei r feet whi ch ai d t hem in wal ki ng
over soft snow. They fl y swi ftl y and di rectl y wi t h a burst
of s peed fol l owed by a l ong gl i de. Yet Ptar mi gans prefer
to wal k if not di sturbed. I n wi nter l arge focks move to
l ower al ti tudes, and some mi grate for consi derabl e di s
tances over water. These excel l ent gamebi rds are not
hunted much because they are so far from most hunters.
They do form an i mportant part of t he di et of Al euts,
Eski mo and northern I ndi ans who hunt t hem.
WI LLOW PTARMI GANS, l argest of three speci es, are
subarctic i n di stri buti on. They and the s mal l er Rock
Ptar mi gan retai n t hei r bl ack tai l feathers t he year round.
I n wi nter t he dark eye, bi l l and tai l contrast strongl y wi t h
t he s nowy pl umage. I n s pr i ng the mal e struts and di s
pl ays for the femal e, furi ousl y dri vi ng away ri val s. The
nest, on t he ground, contai ns 7 to 1 0 brown, spl otched
eggs. Unl i ke other grouse, t he mal e remai ns to hel p rai se
the chi cks. Summer food is l eaves, buds and frui ts, wi th
some i nsects. I n wi nter wi l l ow buds are eaten.
CkOd5 1 29
ROCK PTARMIGAN is sl i ghtl y smal l er t han t he Wi l l ow.
I t prefers hi gher el evati ons and more exposed si tuati ons
where it i s often found far from shelter. The Rock Ptar
mi gan has strong feet and cl aws, and scratches through
the s now for food. I n wi nter the mal e s hows a bl ack l i ne
through the eye. Mal es battl e other mal es i n spri ng and
di spl ay f or t he femal es. After 6 t o 1 0 eggs are l ai d i n a
tundra depressi on the mal es depart, but return l ater.
WHITE-TAI LED PTARMIGAN i s the smal l est N. A. spe
ci es, an al pi ne bi rd, l i vi ng above the ti mberl i ne and
breedi ng farther south than the two other speci es. I t l acks
the bl ack tai l of other ptarmi gans and i n wi nter i s pure
white except for dark eye and bi l l . The nest i s i n the
open, and the i ncubati ng femal e i s very rel uctant to
l eave even i f the nest is di sturbed. From 4 to 1 5 eggs
,
usual l y marked with fne brown dots, are i ncubated. Feed
i ng habi ts are the same as for other ptarmi gans.
1 30 CkOd5
Local names: ( Rock Ptarmi gan)
Rocker
Sci enti fc names:
Wi l l ow: Logopus /agopus
Rock: Lagopus mutus
Whi te-tai l ed: Lagopus /eucurus
Sizes:
Wi l l ow: 1 5- 1 7 i n.
Rock: 1 3 i n.
Whi te-tai l ed : 1 2- 1 3 i n.
Fl i ght speeds: No i nformati on
White-tai l ed
Weights: Average Record
l b. oz. l b. oz.
Wi l l ow:
Mal e
Femal e 4
Rock:
Mal e 3 5
Femal e 2 4
Whi te-tai l ed:
Mal e 1 2
Femal e 0 1 2
CkOd5 ! 3I
BOBWHI TE is probabl y the most popul ar
gamebi rd even wi th those who do not hunt.
These smal l chunky bi rds and t hei r cheery
whi stl es are fami l i ar to al l . When not hunted,
Bobwhites become qui te tame and often feed near houses.
Open pi newoods, brushy fi el ds, abandoned farms, and
si mi l ar habi tats ar e preferred. Bobwhi tes usual l y travel
on foot and st ay i n a l i mited area. They need food and
shel ter cl ose together. Hedgerows and shel ter bel ts en
courage Bobwhi tes on farms. Most of t he year t hey stay
in coveys of a dozen or more bi rds. At ni ght the covey
roosts in a t i ght ci rcl e, heads out and tai l s i n . Thi s con
serves heat i n wi nter and permits fast getaway i n danger.
The covey breaks up i n spri ng. Mal es establ i sh thei r
terri tori es and cal l the femal es wi th thei r l oud bobwhite.
Pai rs bui l d nests on the ground i n t hi ck cover, often i n
hi gh grass. They are wel l made wi th an arch of woven
grass over t he top. The 1 4 to 1 6 whi te eggs hatc h i n about
23 days. The young bi rds are t humb-si zed but grow rap
i dl y and can fy i n two weeks. The mal es hel p care for
them. Bobwhi tes are a l most omnivorous. leaves, buds,
frui ts, seeds, i nsects and snai l s al l fnd a pl ace i n t hei r
di et . Besi des the cal l bobwhite, thei r covey cal l quoi -hee
i s best known.
FOOD AND SHELTER FOR QUAI L
Rose
li vi ng fence of Mul ti fora Rose pro
vi des shel ter. Bush or Bi -col or lesped
i za provi des food. Such dual pl ant
i ngs are encou raged.
1 32 QuA| |
Local names: Quai l , Partri dge,
Bi rd
Scientifc name: Colin us
virgini an us
Weights: Average
l b. oz.
Mal e 0 6
Femal e 0 6
Size: 8. 5 to 1 0. 5 i n.
Record
l b. oz.
0 9
0 8. 5
Fl i ght speeds: Crui si ng: 28- 38 mph
Chased: 44 mph
QdA| | 1 33
SCALED QUAI L of the ari d S.W. l i ves i n
sparse grass l ands i nterspersed wi th cactus,
yucca and sal t bush. They are most common
al ong dry washes and i n val l eys. Feat her s on
t he breast and back are edged wi th bl ack,
g1 vt ng t hem thei r scal ed appearance. Al so cal l ed "Cot
tontops" because of thei r ragged, bushy, whi te crests,
Scal ed Quai l need water at l east once a day and thi s
l i mi ts t hei r r ange. Dry years may prevent nesti ng and
cause l arge di ps i n popul ati on. They can fy strongl y but
prefer wal ki ng: they are di fcul t to fl ush. Groups of 1 0
to 40 bi rds are common; occasi onal l y bands of 1 00 or
more occur. The nesti ng season coi nci des wi th summer
FOODS OF THE DESERT QUAI L
Sal t bush ar A t ri pl ex
1 34 QdA| |
rai ns. The nest is a hol l ow, l i ned wi th grass, usual l y under
a bush. Twel ve to 1 4 whi te eggs , speckl ed brown, ar e
i ncubated by t he femal e. The mal e hel ps rear t he young.
Thei r di et i ncl udes shoots, l eaves, frui ts and i nsects.
Local names: Cotton top, Bl ue
Quai l
Sci enti fc name: Callipepla
squamata
Weights: Average Record
l b. oz. l b. oz.
Mal e 0 7 0 8. 2
Femal e 0 6 0 6. 7
Size: 1 0- 1 2 i n.
Fl i ght speeds: No i nformati on
Yel l ow-fowered Pri ckl y Pear Screwbean Mesqui te
QdA| | 1 35
CALI FORNI A QUAI L are adapt abl e, fami l
i ar bi rds of suburban gardens and even ci ty
parks. Bol d face marki ngs and ti l ti ng crests
i denti fy the mal es. These smal l pl ump quai l
prefer open woodl ands, chappar al and
grassy val l eys. Wi t h spreadi ng ci ti es and overgrazed
ranges, thei r popul ati on has decl i ned but they are sti l l
common. Thi s quai l r uns strongl y but wi l l often hi de and
t hen fl ush expl osi vel y. These gregari ous bi rds wi nter i n
groups of 25 t o 60. Bands of 500 to 600 are occasi onal l y
found. At ni ght they usual l y roost of the ground in thi ckets
or trees. Arti fi ci al roosts are someti mes suppl i ed for t hem.
The constructi on of u nderground water hol es has opened
habitats unavai l abl e before for these quai l .
The nest is a depressi on i n the ground, wel l hi dden and
l i ned wi th grass. I n i t are 9 to 1 4 bl otched, cream-whi te
eggs whi ch the femal e i ncubates for about 23 days. The
mal e hel ps rear the young and, if the femal e i s l ost, may
i ncubate t he eggs. I n years of drought, Cal i forni a Quai l
may not attempt to breed. These vegetari an quai l take
onl y about 3% of i nsects i n thei r di et. The rest i s seeds or
greens, dependi ng on the season. Cal i forni a Quai l have
several cal l s. Perhaps the best known i s a l oud, three
syl l abl ed chi-co-go.
1 36 QdA| |
Poro I ndi an basket
wi th quai l pl umes
Local name: Val l ey Quai l
Sci enti fc name: Lophortyx
californicus
Wei ghts:
Mal e
Femal e
Si ze: 9. 5- 1 1 i n.
Average
l b. oz.
0 6. 2
0 6
Record
l b. oz.
0 7. 3
0 7. 3
Fl i ght speeds: Crui si ng: 38 mph
Chased: 58 mph
QdA| | ! 37
GAMBEL' S QUAI L is found onl y in ari d
country. I t resembl es Cal iforni a Quai l cl ose
l y but has a bl ack patch on the bel l y and
more red-brown on t he head. I t prefers brush,
especi al l y thi ckets of mesqu ite and hackberry.
Ori gi nal l y the ferti l e ri ver bottoms supported heavy pop
ulati ons but these have dwi ndl ed as the l and has been
cul tivated. Gambel ' s Quai l are very strong r unners and
ar e fl ushed with diffi cu l ty. I n fal l and wi nter they gather
i n fl ocks of 20to 50 or more. I n earl y spri ng these break
up wi th much fi ghti ng among the mal es as they set up
terri tori es. The nest i s on the gr ound, usual l y under a
bush. Ten to I 7 eggs, dul l whi te spl otched wi th dark
brown, a re i ncubated from 2I to 23 days-mostl y by the
femal e. Mal es do some i ncubati on and hel p care for the
brood. I n favorabl e (wet) years two broods may be
rai sed. I n dry years the quai l may fai l to breed.
The diet of Gambel ' s Quai l is over 90% vegetabl e.
Dur i ng the br ood peri od i nsects are taken, but seeds,
frui ts and greens are favored. Succul ent pl ants hel p pro
vi de water. li ke other quai l , the Gambel 's have many
songs and cal l s, i ncl udi ng qui et conversati onal notes.
Most often heard are l oud cal l s si mi l ar to the Cal i forni a
Quai l but hi gher and more nasal .
GALLI NACEOUS GUZZLER
1 . Sl opi ng apron col l ects water.
2. Mouth of underground tank.
" 3. Roof i nsul ated wi th soi l and
rock. 4. Entrance to tank barred
to keep out l arge ani mal s. 5.
Fence keeps out l ivestock.
I 38 QdA| |
Local name: Desert Quai l
Sci enti fc name: Lophortyx
gambelii
Wei ghts: Average
l b. oz.
Mal e 0 6
Femal e 0 5. 7
Si ze: 1 0 1 1 i n.
Fl i ght speeds: 41 mph
Runni ng speed: 1 5. 5 mph
Record
l b. oz.
0 7. 3
0 6. 8
QdA| | ! 39
MOUNTAI N QUAI L is t he l argest and most
stri ki ng i n N. Amer. The chestnut throat and
bel l y, gray breast, bar r ed fl anks and l ong
strai ght crest are unmi stakabl e. They prefer
thi ck br ush. Water i s very i mportant and they
are foun d n ot far from i t. They do not form l ar ge coveys;
gr oups of onl y 6 to 1 2 bi rds are normal . Nests are usu
a l l y pl aced under bushes or by rocks or fal l en l ogs. Ei ght
to 1 2 pal e reddi sh- buf eggs are i ncubated for about 2 1
days b y both mal e and
femal e. Mal es al so hel p
care for the young.
Mountai n Quai l eat vege
tabl e food. Seeds, fruits,
greens, buds, and even
roots are t aken. I nsects
are i mportant ear l y i n
t he brood peri od. Mal es
have a l oud, cl ear whi stl e.
1 40 QdA| |
Local names: Pl umed Quai l ,
Mount ai n Partri dge
Sci entifc name: Oreorfyx
pictus
Weights: Average
l b. oz.
Mal e 0 8. 2
Femal e
0 8. 2
Size: 1 0- 1 1 i n.
Record
l b. oz.
0 1 0. 2
Fl i ght speeds: No i nformati on
HARLEQUI N QUAI L is found in the pi ne and oak u p
l ands of the dry S. W. A Mexi can speci es whi ch j ust reaches
t he U. S. , it prefers scattered brushl ands. The stri ped face,
speckl ed body and bushy crest i denti fy i t; femal es are
dul l er. Har l equi n Quai l hi de when approached and wi l l
fus h onl y at t he l ast moment. They pl ace t hei r nests i n
deep grass and l ay 8 to 1 4 white eggs. Femal es i ncubate,
but mal es hel p rear the chi cks. I nsects are the mai n sum
mer di et; roots, seeds and fruits are t aken i n wi nter.
local names: Pai nted Quai l , Fool
Quai l , Mearn' s Quai l
Sci enti fc name: Cerfonyx monte-
zumae
Weights: Average Record
l b. oz. l b. oz.
Mal e 0 7. 3
Femal e 0 5. 5
Si ze: 8 i n.
Fl i ght speeds: No i nformati on
QdA| | 1 41
TURKEYS ar e t he ki ngs of North
Ameri can upl and gamebi rds. Wi del y
used by I ndi ans, t hey were domesti
cated i n Mexi co l ong before Col um
bus arri ved. Taken to Spai n, they
spread through the Near East, perhaps acqui r i ng t he mi s
nomer of "turkey" on the way. Nati ve turkey popul ati ons
decl i ned steadi l y wi th settl ement and agr i cul ture. The
bi rds now occupy on l y a fracti on of t hei r ori gi nal range.
Wi l d bi rds are sl i mmer, darker, and more streaml i ned
than domesti c ones. Both sexes have a "beard"-a hai r
l i ke tuft of breast feathers. Thi s is more devel oped in the
mal e, whi ch al so has more head col or and more i ri des
cence i n i ts feathers. Femal es are smal l er and l i ghter.
Turkeys prefer open woods wi th c l eari ngs or western park
l and. They need brushy cover, water and a suppl y of
acorns, beechnuts, wi l d grapes, dogwood, and other
fruits. They take grai n, seeds and, in summer, l arge i nsects.
Duri ng most of the year gobbl ers fock toget her away
from the hens and young. Fl ocks roost in trees, feedi ng
i n earl y mor ni ng and l ate eveni ng. I n earl y spri ng each
gobbl er establ i shes hi s terri tory where he struts and gob
bl es. The hens soon come and, aft er the usual fghti ng
wi th ri val s, each gobbl er sets up a harem of several hens.
Ri o Grande subspecies
! 42 IdkkY5
Local name: None
Sci enti fc name: Meleagris
gallopavo
Wei ghts:
Mal e
Femal e
Average
l b. oz.
1 6
5
9 5
Size: Mal e: 48 i n.
Femal e: 36 i n.
Fl i ght speed: 55 mph
Record
l b. oz.
23 1 3
1 2 5
IdkkY5 I 43
Each hen nests in a sl i ght depressi on near a cl eari ng, l ay
i ng from 8 to 1 5 buf, fnel y spotted eggs. The hen al one
i ncubates f or 28 days, t hen broods t he acti ve young
whi ch are abl e to fy and roost i n trees i n about 4 weeks.
Turkeys prefer wal ki ng and r unni ng to fl i ght, but, when
pressed or start l ed, fy strongl y and di rectl y, usual l y ri si ng
at steep angl es and gl i di ng of for consi derabl e di stances.
Turkeys are wary, nervous bi rds that keep constantl y on
t he move. Thei r restorati on as gamebi rds depends on
man's mai ntai ni ng of l arge stretches of open woodl ands
wi th oak, beech, nut pi nes, and wi l d fruits, whi ch t he bi rds
need. Four subspeci es occur i n the U. S.
1 44 1dkkY5
I mportation of pheasants in 1 790.
EXOTIC GAMEBI RDS were i ntroduced i nto Nort h Amer
i ca even before Benj ami n Frankl i n' s son- i n- l aw tri ed to
establ i sh partri dges and pheasants i n New Jersey i n 1 790.
Hundreds of other attempts were made i n hopes that
exoti c bi rds woul d take t he pl ace of fast- di sappeari ng
nati ve speci es. Most attempts wer e fai l ures ( pp. 1 52- 1 53)
and to date onl y three speci es have been successful l y
establ i shed. General l y speaki ng, t he chances of success
are l i mi ted when native speci es are doi ng wel l i n t he
same envi ronment and can compete di rectl y wi t h t he
i ntroduced s peci es. Success may al so be l i mi ted unl ess
the new envi ronment i s very much l i ke the one in whi ch
the exoti c speci es has prospered. Fi nal l y, a l arge enough
i ntroduct i on must be made to gi ve t he new bi rds a chance
to bui l d up popul ati ons i n the face of normal mortal i ty.
Two of our three successful exoti c speci es can get al ong
wi t h t he i ntensi ve agri cul ture t hat has doomed most up
l and gamebi rds. But even t he Ri ng- necked Pheasant and
t he Gray Partri dge need hel p. Thi s i s provi ded when
hedgerows and wi ndbreaks are rei nforced wi th shel ter
and food pl ants, and when farm practi ces l eave wi nter
fel ds wi th waste grai n for the bi rds. The Chukar Par
tri dge, whose success has been more l i mi ted, i s abl e to
l i ve on rough, barren mountai n sl opes of t he Southwest
where t here are few nati ve gamebi rds. These successful
speci es provi de game i n areas where i t woul d otherwi se
be l acki ng.
1 45
RI NG-NECKED PHEASANTS were fi rst suc
cessful l y i ntroduced i n 1 88 1 though attempts
had been made nearl y a century before. The
years1 t hat fol l owed saw many transpl ants of
di fernt strai ns of pheasants, some wi th
ri nged necks, so wi thout. Present Ameri can stock i s
a mi xture of several strai ns. Pheasants are now frml y
establ i shed, doi ng best i n t he cornbel t and on i rri gated
western far ml ands. Because of the heat or other l ess
understood reasons, they do not survi ve in t he dry South
west, or i n the moi ster Southeast. The gaudy pl umage
and l ong arched tai l of the cock pheasant are unmi s
takabl e. Hens are smal l er and show a subdued pattern
of brown, buf and bl ack. They, too, have l ong tai l s.
Pheasants need vari ed habi tats-mi xtures of cropl and,
grass l and and brush are best. I n wi nter they form smal l
l oose focks i n which the sexes ar e more or l ess seg
regated. Large numbers may congregate i n areas where
food and shel ter are good. Pheasants usual l y prefer
I 4 PMA5AN15
to run when di sturbed, t hough t hey can fl y strongl y for
short di stances. I n spri ng t he cocks establ i sh terri tori es
and defend them fercel y. Each i s j oi ned by several hens
whi ch nes t i n wel l -conceal ed hol l ows, i ncubati ng 6 t o
1 6 dul l green i sh eggs f or 22 to 23 days. The chi cks grow
rapi dl y and can fy i n two or t hree weeks. Pheasants
feed mai nl y on waste grai n, weed seeds, wi l d fruits and
insects. The "crow" of t he cock is l i ke an ol d-fashioned
automobi l e hor n-a raucous ah-oogah.
Local names: Ri ng-neck, Engl i sh
Pheasant, Chi nese Pheasant
Sci enti fc name: Phasianus
colchicus
Weights: Average
l b. oz.
Mal e 2 1 1
femal e 2 2
Size: Mal e: 30-36 i n.
femal e: 2 1 -25 i n.
Record
l b. oz.
4
3
0
3
Fl i ght speeds: Crui si ng: 27-38 mph
Chased: 60 mph
PMA5AN15 1 47
GRAY PARTRI DGES were not successf ul l y
i ntroduced unti l the l ate 1 800' s despi te sev
eral ear l i er attempts. Thi s common European
gamebi rd does wel l i n habi tats that wi l l not
support nati ve speci es. It prefers a cool , somewhat dry el i
mote and seems to thri ve on open, cul ti vated l ands, as i n
the north central states and adj acent Canada. Even i n
severe wi nter weather Gray Partri dges can be found i n
the open searchi ng for waste grai n. The gray breast,
chestnut bel l y patch and short chestnut toi l ore good
fel d marks. Gray Partri dges usual l y fy l ow and fast,
al ternati ng bursts of wi ng beats with coasti ng on sti fl y
arched wi ngs. I n wi nter they move i n coveys of 20 to
30 bi rds. Wi th spri ng the bi rds pai r of, the mol es fght
ing conti nual l y. later each pair goes of to nest, mak
i ng a shal l ow depressi on l i ned wi th grass. The femal e
l ays 9 to 20 ol i ve eggs whi ch she i ncubates al one for
about 24 days, coveri ng the eggs wi th grass and l eaves
when she l eaves the nest. The mal e stays nearby and
l ater hel ps care for the young. The Gray Partri dge feeds
pr i mari l y on gr ai n g l eaned from harvested fel ds. I t takes
wheat, bar l ey, corn and oats, seeds of weeds and grasses,
and some wi l d fruits. A few i nsects ore eaten in sum
mer. The cal l of thi s partri dge i s a harsh kee-ah.
FOOD OF GRAY PARTRI DGE
1 48 PAk1k| 0C5
Local names: Hungari an Par
!ri dge, Hun, Hunkie, European
Partri dge
Sci enti fc name: Perdix perdix
Wei ghts: Average Record
Mal e
Femal e
Si ze: 1 2- 1 3 i n.
l b. oz. l b. oz.
0 1 4 1 0
0 1 3 0 1 5
Fl i ght speeds: Crui si ng : 2 7 mph
Chased: 53 mph
PAk1k| 0C5 1 49
CHUKAR PARTRI DGE, nati ve of dry south
eastern Europe and parts of Asi a, was frst
brought to North Ameri ca i n 1 893. Earl y at
tempts at i ntroducti on were fai l ures and even
after repeated eforts t he bi rd i s not too wel l establ i shed.
I t needs semi - ari d, open, rocky country and so has done
best i n parts of the West where adequate wat er i s avai l
abl e. Chukars are handsome bi rds, between quai l and
grouse i n si ze, easi l y recogni zed by t hei r stri ki ng face
pattern and barred fl anks. They fy strongl y but, unl ess
approached from above, prefer to escape by r unni ng
uphi l l . Duri ng summer, when water i s especi al l y i mpor
tant, t hey are sel dom found far from i t. The rest of the
year they are more wi despread. Fl ocks of 1 0 to 40 bi rds
are t he r ul e. Chukars prefer t o roost on t he gr ound, i n
t he open or among rocks. I n spri ng t he bi r ds pai r of
and, as s oon as t he eggs are l ai d i n a hol l ow near a
rock or bush, the mal es go of to form t hei r own groups.
The femal es i ncubate t he creamy, brown speckl ed eggs
for 21 to 22 days. later the mal es return and hel p care
for the young. Chukars feed mai nl y on weed seeds, wi l d
frui ts, l eaves, and bul bs. The bul bs are dug out wi th thei r
bi l l s. Seasonal l y, i nsects, especi al l y grasshoppers, are
i mportant. The common cal l gi ves t he bi rds t hei r name.
Rock Partri dge
1 50 PAktk| 0C5
Local name: Rock Partri dge
Scientifc
Weights:
name: Alectoris graeca
Mal e
Femal e
Size: 13 i n.
Average Record
l b. oz. l b. oz.
4 1 8
2 1 4
Fl i ght speeds: No i nformati on
Runni ng speed: 18 mph
PAk1k| 0C5 I 5 I
Asi a
Rufous-wi nged Ti namou
South Ameri ca
I 52
,
Bai kal Teal
Asi a
GAMEBI RD I NTRODUCTI ONS
Wi thi n a century after t he di scovery
of Ameri ca attempts at i ntroduci ng
new wi l dl ife wer e made. These hap
hazard i ntroducti ons conti nued for
300 years unti l the U. S. Fi sh and
Wi l dl i fe Servi ce took control of the
si tuati on i n 1 900. lack of knowl edge
made most of t hese attempts fai l
ures. At best the eforts wer e costl y
and uncertai n. Some i ntroduced
forms damaged crops and competed
with val ued native speci es. Onl y a
few have found a pl ace for them
sel ves here. These have been i n
c l uded on previ ous pages.
For fi fty mi l l i on years bi rds have
drifted i nto new envi ronments. Some
SOME ATTEMPTED
Capercai l l i e
Chachal aca
Cock, Bl ack
Croke
,
Corn
Curassow
Dove, Austral i an Crested
Dave, Bl eedi ng Hearl
Dove, Spotted
Dove, Ri ng-necked
Dove, Rock
Frpncol i n, Common
Goose, Egypti an
Grouse, Hazel
Grouse, Sand
Gui nea Fowl
Partri dge, Bamboo
Partridge, Red-l egged
have survi ved and devel oped i n
them. The sl ow si ft i ng process of evo
l uti on has gradual l y pl aced most
bi rds i n t hei r best envi ronments.
New and sudden i ntroducti ons rarel y
consi der al l the factors i nvol ved i f
a bi rd i s to prosper i n an unoccu
pi ed or newl y created habi tat. Long
study of the bi rd i n i ts ori gi nal hab
i tat and detai l ed study of the new are
needed. Thi s i ncl udes a ful l knowl
edge of food, shel ter and nesti ng
habi ts, di sease resi stance, competi
ti ve speci es and possi bl e enemi es.
Bel ow are l i sted some of the at
tempted gamebi rd i ntroducti ons i n
the Uni ted States that have not been
successf ul . Many other speci es have
al so been tri ed.
I NTRODUCTI ONS
Pheasant, Bl ockbacked Kal eege
Pheasant, Copper
Pheasant, Gol den
Pheasant, Lady Amherst
Pheasant, Mongol i an
Pheasant, Reeves
Pkeasant, Si l ver
Pheasant, Trapagan
Quai l , Button
Quai l , Coturni x
Quai l , El egant
Swan, Mute
Teal , Bai kal
Teal , Common
Ti namou (Tinamus robustus)
Ti namou, Rufous wi nged
Turkey, Oscel l ated
Coturni x Quai l
Eurasi a
1 53
Di ki ng a waterfowl marsh.
HABITAT IMPROVEMENT
I n recent years wi l dl i fe management has poi nt ed t he way
to i ncrease t he popul at i ons of gamebi rds . Earl y eforts
were tri ggered by the drasti c decl i ne of many speci es i n
the l ate 1 800' s. These eforts i ncl uded a rti fci al propa
gati on of stock and the i nt roducti on of substi tute exoti c
speci es. Research now s hows that t he most sui tabl e way
to i ncrease t he gamebi rd popul ati on i s t hrough habi tat
i mprovement . When natural envi ronments are drasti cal l y
changed or reduced, a drop i n gamebi rds i nevi tabl y f ol
l ows. When t he envi ronment i s agai n made favorabl e,
Forest cl ear i ng i ncreases food pl ants.
popul at i ons bui l d up. Thi s pr i nci pl e can be appl i ed to
many types of habi tat. Wet l ands are essenti al to al l
waterfowl . I n past years too many marshes and sl oughs
wer e dr ai ned. Wi th t he establ i shment of a conti nent-wi de
refuge system an d t he restorati on of wet l ands, duck pop
u l at i ons have parti al l y recovered. Far mi ng practi ces det
r i mental t o upl and gamebi rds can be mi t i gated by l eav-
i ng br ush in fence rows, pl ant i ng l i vi ng fences, establ i s h
i ng food patches, and excl udi ng grazi ng cat t l e from
woodl ands. Enc l osed corners of pastures whi ch al l ow
brush an d weeds to grow provi de food and s hel ter for
quai l . Where wi nters are severe, evergreen pl ant i ngs
provi de s hel ter. The bui l di ng of br ush pi l es, roosts, or
wateri ng hol es may al so be efecti ve. Forest cl ear i ngs
encourage a vari ety of pl ants whi ch provi de di versi fed
shel ter and more pl enti ful food. Even fi re can be usef ul .
Properl y control l ed i t mai ntai ns certai n habi tats l i ke south
ern pi ne forests and mi dwestern pr ai ri es.
Habi tat i mprovement i s carri ed on mai nl y by state fs h
and game or conservati on departments. Trai ned game
managers devel op proj ects on publ i c l and and advi se an d
assi st persons or groups wh o want t o try such practi ces
on pri vate l and.
HABI TAT I MPROVEMENT 1 55
1 56
BOOKS FOR MORE I NFORMATI ON
ABOUT GAMEBI RDS
Fi el d Gui des and Surveys
.
Kortri ght, F. H. , DUCKS, GEESE & SWAN S OF N. AMER. , Stackpol e, 1 953
Leopol d, A. S. , WI L DL I F E OF MEXI CO, U. of Cal . Press, Berkel ey, 1 959
Peterson, R. T. , FI ELD GUI D E TO T HE BI RDS, Houghton, 1 947
Peterson, R. T. , FI ELD GUI D E TO WESTERN BI RDS, Houghton, 1 961
Pough, R. H. , AU D U BON WATER BI R D Gu i DE, Doubl eday, 1 951
Pough, R. H. , AUDUB ON WESTERN BI RD GUI D E, Doubl eday, 1 957
Rand, A. L., AMERI CAN WATER & GAME BI RDS, Dutton, 1 956
Life Hi stori es and Reports
Bent, A. C. , L I F E HI STORI ES OF N. AMER. WI L D FowL ( Parts 1 & 2), U. S.
Nat. Mus. Bul l s. 1 26 & 1 30, Washi ngton, D. C., 1 925, 1 927
LI F E HI STORI E S OF N. AMER. SHORE BI RDS (Part 1 ) , U. S. Nat. Mus. Bul l .
1 42, Washi ngton, D. C. , 1 927
L I F E HI STORI ES OF N. AMER. GALL I NACE OUS BI RDS, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bul l .
1 62, Washi ngton, D. C. , 1 932
Bump, G. , R. Darrow, F. Edmi nster & W. Cressy, THE RU FFED GROUSE,
N. Y State Conserv. Dept. , Al bany, N. Y., 1 947
Hochbaum, H. A., CANVASBACK ON A PRAI R I E MARSH, Wi l dl i fe Mgmt.
l nst. , Washi ngton, D. C. , 1 959
Sowl es,
l
. K. , PRAI R I E DUCKS, Wi l dl i fe Mgmt. l nst. , Wash. , D. C. , 1 955
Stoddard, H. L. , THE BoBWHI TE QUAI L, Scri bners, New York_ 1 943
Conservation and Management
Al l en, D. , PHEASANTS I N N. AMER. , Wi l dl i fe Mgmt. I ns! . , Wash. , D. C. ,
1 956
Edmi nster, F. C. , AME RI CAN GAME BI R DS OF F I ELD & FoR EST, Scri bners,
New York, 1 954
Marti n, A. C. , H. S. Zi m & A. L. Nel son, AME RI CAN WI L DL I F E & PLANTS,
McGraw- Hi l l , New York, 1 951
McAtee, W.
l
. , RI NG- NECKED PHEASANT AND I T S MANAGE ME NT I N N.
AMER. , Wi l dl i fe Mgmt. l nst. , Washi ngton, D. C. , 1 945
Mosby, H. S. & C. 0. Handl ey, THE WI L D TUR KEY IN VI R GI N I A, Comm.
Game & I n l and Fi sheri es, Ri chmond, 1 943
Schwartz, C. W. , ECOLOGY OF T HE PRAI R I E CHI CKE N IN MI S SOU R I , U. of
Mi ssouri Studi es, 20, No. 1 , Col umbi a, Mi ssou ri , 1 945
Wri ght, B. S. , HI GH TI DE AND AN EAST WI ND ( Bl ack Duck), Wi l dl i fe Mgmt.
l nst. , Washi ngton, D. C., 1 954
NATI ONAL WI LDLI FE REFUGES
NATI ONAL WI LDLI FE REFUGES
There ore about 290 Notional
Wi l dl i fe Refuges i n the United
States. These total 28'h mi l l i on
acres. Some of the l arger or better
known ones, wel l worth visiti ng,
ore l i sted bel ow. A mop of some
of these refuges is on p. 1 2. Vi si
tors ore wel come. A compl ete l i st
with addresses con be obtai ned
from the U. S. Fi sh and Wi l dl i fe
Service, Washi ngton 25, D. C.
ALABAMA: Wheel er. ALASKA:
Al euti an I sl ands, Kenai Noti onal
Moose, Kodi ak. ARIZONA: Ho
vosu Lake, I mperi al (al so Col ifor
nio), Kofo Game Range. CALI
FORNIA: Merced, Sacramento,
Sal ton Sea, Tul e-Ki omoth Lake.
COLORADO: Monte Vi sta. DEL
AWARE: Bombay Hook. FLORI
DA: Chossohowi tzko, Great Whi te
Heron, Key Deer, Key West, Loxa
hatchee, Sani bel , St. Marks.
GEORGIA: Bl ockbeord I sl and,
Okefenokee, Piedmont, Savannah
(al so South Carol i na) . I LLINOIS:
Coutouquo, Crab Orchard, Mark
Twai n (al so I owa and Missouri ) .
I OWA: Uni on Sl ough. KANSAS:
Ki rwi n, Quivero. KENTUCKY: Ken
tucky Woodl ands. LOUISIANA:
Del ta, Lacassi ne, Sabi ne. MAINE:
Moosehorn. MARYLAND: Bl ock
water. MASSACHUSETTS: Mo
nomoy, Porker River. MICHI
GAN: Seney, Shi owossee. MIN
NESOTA: Agnossiz, Ri ce Lake,
Tamarac, Upper Mi ssi ssi ppi River
(al so I l l i noi s, Iowa, Wi sconsi n) .
MISSISSI PPI : Gul f I sl ands, Nox
ubee, Yazoo. MISSOURI : Mi ngo,
Squaw Creek, Swan Lake. MON
TANA: Benton Lake, Bowdoi n, Ft.
Peck Game Range, Medi ci ne
Lake, Notional Bi son Range, Red
Rock Lakes. NEBRASKA: Crescent
Lake, DeSoto ( al so I owa), Ft. Ni o
broro, Vol enti ne. NEVADA: Des
ert, Ruby Lake, Sti l l water. NEW
JERSEY: Bri ganti ne, Troy Mead
ows. NEW MEXICO: Bitter Lake,
Bosque del Apache. NEW YORK:
El i zabeth Morton, Montezuma,
Oak Orchard. NORTH CAROLI
NA: Mottamuskeet, Pea I sl and.
NORTH DAKOTA: Arrawwood,
Des Lacs, Lake l l o, Long Lake, Lost
wood, Lower Souris, Sl ade, Snoke
Creek, Sul lys Hi l l, Tewoukon, Up
per Souri s. OKLAHOMA: Sal t
Pl ai ns, Ti shomi ngo. OREGON:
Mol heur, Shel don-Hart Mt. ( al so
Nevada) . PENNSYLVANIA: Eri e.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Cope Ro
mai n, Carol i na Sondhi l l s, Santee.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Locreek, Lake
Andes, Sand Lake, Waubay.
TENNESSEE. Reel foot, Tennessee.
TEXAS: Aransas, Bufal o Lakes,
Hagerman, Laguna Atascosa,
Mul eshoe, San a Ana. UTAH:
Bear River, Fi sh Spri ngs. VER
MONT: Mi ssi squoi . VIRGI NIA:
Bock Boy, Chi ncoteoque, Presqui l e.
WASHINGTON: Col umbi a, Littl e
Pend Orei l l e, McNary, Tur nbul l ,
Wi l l apo. WISCONSI N: Hori con,
Necedah. WYOMING. Notional
El k, Hutton Lake.
MA8|1A1 | MPkOVMN1 1 57
0
Arrowhead, *87
" E Bal dpate, (See
] Wi dgeon)
Bandi ng, 1 0
.
:
Bi bl i ography, 1 56
Bobwhi te, * 1 1 , * 1 1 5,
* ! 1 7, * 1 32, * 1 33,
..
*
1 54
! Brant,
Ameri can, *24, 25
" [ Bl ack, *25
=
Buffl ehead, *69
Bul rush, * 88
"
Canvasback, * 4, 58,
*60, * 61 , *86
. _capercai l l i e, * 1 52
2
Chachal aca, 1 52
Chi cken,
Greater Prai ri e,
* 1 24, * 1 25, 1 26
Lesser Prai ri e, * 1 26
Cock, Bl ack, * 1 52
Coot, 89, *96, *97
Cordgrass, *87
Coturni x, * 1 53
Croke, Corn, 1 52
Crane, Whoopi ng, 6
* 1 9
1 58 I NDEX
I NDEX
Asteri sks ( *) denote pages on whi ch the
subjects are i l l ustrated.
The pages i ndicated in bol dface type
are those contai ni ng the maj or text treat
ment and most extensi ve i nformati on.
Curassow, 1 52
Curl ew,
Eski mo, * 1 6, 1 02
Hudsoni an, 1 6, 1 02
Long-bi l l ed, * 1 02
Dodo, * 1 5, 1 6
Dove,
Austral i an Crested,
1 52
Bl eedi ng Heart, 1 52
Ground, 1 1 2, * 1 1 3
I nca, 1 1 2, * 1 1 3
i ntroducti on to, 1 04
Mourni ng, * 1 1 , * 1 05,
* 1 0, * 1 07, 1 08
Ri ng-necked, 1 52
Rock, 1 04, * 1 1 0,
1 52
Spotted, 1 52
Whi te-fronted, 1 1 2,
* 1 1 3
White-wi nged,
* 1 08, * 1 09
Dowitcher, *98
Duck,
Bahama, *44
Bl ack, *34, * 36,
* 37, 39, 44, *86
Duck, (cont . )
Bl ack-bel l i ed tree,
* 1 9, 33
Fl ori da, 39
food, 86
ful vous tree, 1 9,
*33
Greater Scaup, *62,
*64
Harl equi n, * 71
Labrador, * 1 6
Lesser Scaup, * 1 1 ,
*62, *64, *65
Masked, *57
Mexi can, *38, *39
Mottl ed, *34, *39
Ri ng- necked, *62,
*63
Ri ver, 21
Ruddy, * 56, *57
Sea, 2 1
Wood, * 54, *55,
Ei der,
Common, *78, *79
Ameri can subsp. ,
*79
Northern subsp. , *78
Paci fi c subsp. , *78
Eider, {cont. ) Goose, (cont. ) Ol dsquaw, *70
Ki ng, * 81 Ri chardson' s, * 22
Spectacl ed, * 82 Ross' , * 1 8, * 28
Parrot, 1 6
Stel l er' s, *80 Snow, 1 8, 30
Partri dge, * 1 1 7
Exti nct speci es, 1 5- 1 7 Greater, 28
Bamboo, 1 52
lesser, * 28, *29
Chuka r, 1 45, *150,
Fl yway, 6, *7
Tul e, 26, *27
* 1 5 1
Western, *22
food, 1 48
Francol i n Common,
Whi te-fronted, *3,
Gray, * 1 1 7, 1 45,
1 52
26, *27, *30
* 1 48, * 1 49
Grouse, 1 1 5, 1 1 6
Red- l egged, * 1 50,
Gadwal l , * 40, * 41 , 42 Bl ue, * 1 27
1 52
Gal l i nul e, 89 Hazel , 1 52
Rock, * 1 50
Common, *95 Rufed, *3, *11 8,
Pel i can,
Purpl e, *95 * 1 1 9, * 1 54, * 1 55
Brown, 1 8
Gamebi rd, Sage, * 1 20, * 1 2 1
Whi te, 1 8, * 1 9
exoti c, 145 Sand, 1 52
Pheasant, 1 1 5
habi tat Sharp-tai l ed, * 1 22,
Bl ack-backed
i mprovement, 1 54, * 1 23
Kal eege, 1 53
1 55 Spruce, * 1 1 6, * 1 28
Copper, 1 53
i ntroducti ons, 1 52
Gol den, 1 53
i ntroducti on to, 4
lady Amherst, * 1 53
mi gratory, 6
Heat h Hen, * 17, 1 1 5,
Mongol i an, 1 53
non-mi gratory, 1 2,
1 24
Reeves, * 1 53
1 3
Honeycreeper,
Ri ng-necked, * 1 1 7,
Godwi t,
Hawai i an, 1 6
1 45, * 1 46, * 1 47,
Hudsoni an, * 1 03
* 1 54
Marbl ed, * 1 03
Si l ver, 1 53
Gol deneye,
T rapogan, 1 53
Barrow' s, *68
Mal l ard, 2 1 , 24,
Pi geon, 1 6, 1 04
Common, * 2 1 , * 66,
28, *34, *35, 36
Band-tai l ed, *3,
*67
*38, 39
* 1 04, * 1 1 0,
Goose, 20
Hybri d, *44
* 1 1 1
Bl ue, *30, * 31
Merganser,
Common, 1 04, * 1 1 0
Cackl i ng, *22
Common, * 83, *84 i ntroducti on t o, 1 04
Canada, * 1 1 , * 1 4,
Hooded, * 83, *85 Passenger, * 1 5,
*20, *22, *23 i ntroducti on t o, 83 * 1 7, 1 04
Common, 22, *23
Red-breasted, * 84, Red-bi l l ed, * 1 1 4
Egypti an, 1 52
*85 Whi te-crowned, * 1 1 4
Emperor, *32 Mi grat i on routes, 6, *7
Pi ntai l , *3, *5, *40,
lesser Canada, 22
Muskgrass, *87 44* , *45
I NDEX 1 59
Pl over, 98 Refuges, Nati onal Threatened and ex-
.
Ameri can Gol den, Wi l dl ife, ti net species, 1 5-
* 1 02 map, 1 2 1 8
Upl and, * 1 03 l i st, 1 57 Ti namou,
Pondweed, *87 Refuge Systems, 1 1 Rufous-wi nged, * 1 52
Ptarmi gan, Regul ati ons, 8 Turkey, 1 1 5, 1 42
Rock, 1 29, * 1 30, Research, 9 Domestic, * 1 44
* 1 3 1 Easter n Subsp. ,
Whi te-tai l ed, * 1 29,
Sandpi per, 98
* 1 42, * 1 43
.
* 1 30, * 1 3 1 Fl ori da subsp. , * 1 44
Seater,
Wi l l ow, * 1 29, * 1 30,
Ameri can, *7 4
Merri am' s subsp. ,
* 1 3 1
Common, *76, *77
* 1 44
Su rf, *74, *75, *76
Oscel l ated, *"1 1 6,
Quai l , 1 6, 1 1 7
Vel vet, 72
1 53
Button, 1 53
Whi te-wi nged, *72,
Ri o-Grande subsp. ,
"
Cal i forni a, *4, * 1 42
u
73, *74
!
* 1 36, 1 37 Tur nstone, 98
..
Shorebi rd,
c
Coturnix, * 1 53
.
i nt roducti on to, 98
0
Desert, * 1 39
.
Shovel l er, * 52, *53 Upl and gamebi rds,
l El egant, 1 53
Smartweed, *87 cl assi fi cati on, 1 1 6,
!
food, 1 34, 1 35
!
Gambel ' s, * 1 38,
Sni pe, Common, 1 1 7
.
* 1 39
*3, * 98, *99 i ntroducti on to, 1 1 5
Spi kerush, *88
Harl equi n, * 1 41
Swan, 20
Mountai n, * 1 40 Waterfowl ,
..
Mute, 1 8, * 1 53
;
Scal ed, * 1 34, * 1 35 i ntroducti on to, 20
Tru mpeter, * 1 8
Val l ey, * 1 37
Whi stl i ng, *3, 1 8,
Wei ghts and records,
:
1 4
Rai l , 1 6
*20
Whi mbrel , * 1 02
Bl ack, *92 Wi dgeon,
Cl apper, * 92, *93 Tabl e of contents, 3 Ameri can, * 40, * 42,
i nt roducti on to, 89 Teal , 43
Ki ng, * 90 Bai kal , * 1 52, 1 53
European, 42, *43
Long-bi l l ed, *89 Bl ue-wi nged, * 48,
Wi dgeon grass, *87
Short-bi l l ed, *89 * 49, *50, 52 Wi l d cel ery, *88
Sora, *3, * 89, *94 Ci nnamon, *50, *51 Wi l d mi l l et, * 88
Vi rgi ni a, *91 Common, *46, *47, Wi l d ri ce, *88
Yel l ow, 92 *50, 1 53 Woodcock, 98
Redheod, * 1 0, * 58, Green-winged, *46, Ameri can, 1 00,
*59, *60 *47, 48, * 50 * 1 01
1 60
I NDEX
c
GAMEBIRDS
A GOL D E N NAT U R E GU I D E
ALEXANDER SPRUNT I V has been wi th t he
Nati onal Audubon Soci ety si nce I 952 and i s
now i t s Research Di rector. He has done fel d
work i n many parts of the United States and
i n the Cari bbean. He has an M. S. degree i n
Wi l dl ife Management from Vi rgi ni a Pol ytech
ni c I nsti tute.
HERBERT S. ZI M, Ph. D. , outstandi ng authority
on sci ence educati on and formerl y Professor
of Educati on, Universi ty of I l l i noi s, i s wel l
known i n professi onal ci rcl es and to a wi de
readi ng publ i c. He i s co-author of the Gol den
Nat ure Gui des: Birds, Flowers, Insects, Stars,
Trees, Re
p
tiles and Am
p
hibians, Mammals,
Seashores, Fishes, Weather, Rocks and Min
erals, Gamebirds, Fossils, and Zoology.
JAMES GORDON I RVI NG has exhi bited
pai nti ngs at the Ameri can Museum of Natural
History and the Nati onal Audubon Soci ety. I n
t h e Gol den Nature Gui de seri es he h as i l l us
trated Mammals, Birds, Insects, Re
p
tiles and
Am
p
hibians, Stars, Fishes, and Gamebirds.