COVEY OF TAME GROUSE.
by
Paul R. Franke

A covey of tame grouse is the result of kindness and protection offered to a mother hen and four chicks, during the past spring. This is the experience of a park road crew now camped at the head of East School Section Canyon.

Mr. Martin Peterson, the contractor in charge of this road crew, has found these birds so receptive of kind treatment that they will now come and eat out of his hand. Several days ago, while feeding them, the mother hen suddenly let out a cluck of alarm and the chicks at once scattered in every available direction. Three of them dashed into Mr. Peterson's cabin — two to crawl under the bed and the other one landed on top of the bed and attempted to snuggle under the pillow, On looking about a large hawk was espied far over head looking for a meal. These birds of prey and the coyote are, next to man, the greatest enemy of the grouse.

The species of grouse native to the Mesa Verde are generally called Dusky Grouse (Dendragopus obscuras) and often the term "Fool Hen" is applied to them. This aptly describes their conduct and demeanor when hunted. When alarmed by the gun they often partake themselves to the nearest tree or brush and sit perfectly motionless, believing themselves invisible, and thus fall easy prey to the hunter. Their dusky coloring blends in splendidly with their surroundings.

This bird no doubt formed a good part of the food of the early inhabitants on this Mesa. Its tameness and indifference making it an easy game to kill. They have been rather rare about Southwestern Colorado for some years, but recent legislative action in eliminating all open season on grouse will enable them to increase in number. This state protection added to the National Park regulations should prove so beneficial that within a short time most of our visitors will be able to see this large and beautiful grouse.

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