Yesterday there were several tail feathers on the hay strewn dry earth floor of our barn. Since I had walked up there to close the two wide heavy doors which were swinging in the wind I did not take much time to identify them.. They were reddish brown , Red-tailed hawk is as far as I got. However, the neighbor whose hay was stored there came by to pick up some bales of hay for his cattle. He instantly identified the feathers as Ruffed Grouse. I have never seen grouse in my area. In fact, I have never seen one anywhere close enough to see its features.. Alsop's bird book indicates the red morph Ruffed Grouse is plentiful in the Appalachians. And the description of the tail feathers in his book describes the tail feathers I found. "Multi-banded rusty red or gray tail with wide dark subterminal band and whitish tip." The tail feathers I found also have dark wavy lines irregularly spaced within the reddish brown. I am amazed to hear what some of the locals know of birds, their habits, their habitat, and why they are multiplying or diminishing in numbers. This guy says there are fewer grouse now. He indicated that the large flocks of turkeys are now foraging in habitat where the grouse once fed. So naturally there is less food supply for the grouse. Therefore, there are fewer grouse. He also feels that the turkeys are foraging on the ginseng berries causing a diminishing amount of ginseng. It seems the state officials have been blaming the locals for the ginseng disappearance. I know nothing about the Ruffed Grouse and wonder when they are around and seeable here in the mountains? I have a female Purple Finch at my feeders fairly regularly!! Tess Cumbie Buladean, NC =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958 =========================================================