Food habits in relation to the ecology and population dynamics of blue grouse.

i TABLE OF CONTENTS i i LIST OF TABLES i i i LIST OF FIGURES i v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS v INTRODUCTION 1 MATERIALS AND METHODS 4 RESULTS 8 Use o f f o o d t y p e s s 8 by a d u l t malos. 8 by a d u l t f e m a l e s 8 by c h i c k s 11 Main f o o d s s 13 n e e d l e s 15 l e a v e s 17 f l o w e r s 20 f r u i t s 22 a n i m a l 23 g r i t 25 D i u r n a l rhythm o f f e e d i n g 26 DISCUSSION 32 A v a i l a b i l i t y and s e l e c t i o n o f foods 35 N u t r i t i o n a l b a s i s o f s e l e c t i o n 41 I n f l u e n c e o f d i e t upon r e p r o d u c t i o n 47 Autumn m i g r a t i o n 53 SUMMARY 55 LITERATURE CITED 57