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Cover at the nest sites consisted of big sage, serviceberry and chicken sage. <br />• Based upon these observations iT appears that there is no area or areas preferred for <br />nesting. In addition, observations do not indicate That any one habitat Type (big sage, <br />mountain shrub or chicken sage) is preferred for nesting. <br />Of the four nests found, two were successful hatching 10 and 12 eggs <br />respectively. Hatching dates for both nests were determined to be between the 20th <br />and 25th of June. Observations of other broods (using size of chick comparisons) <br />indicated that this was probably the period when most hatching occurred. <br />Summer distribution showed a continued proximity of male grouse fo The leking <br />arena. Females that suffered nest failure joined other females and males and <br />remained in small scattered flocks. <br />Information on hens with broods was difficult To obtain (Rogers 1969, Parker <br />1970). Systematic brood routes provided little insight into the brood rearing <br />activities of the hens because of their secretive nature. Insufficient observations <br />were made on hens with broods to determine average brood size and if any preferred <br />brood rearing areas exist. However, most broods were observed within one mile of <br />a known lek. It was noted That vegetative Types used by broods and adult birds were <br />less consistent than the amount of cover used. Be it heavy shrub, grass or forb <br />• covered areas, all birds located showed only a preference for heavy cover. <br />Of The other game birds occurring in the area, The mourning dove (Zenaida <br />macroura) was most abundant, occurring in all habitats at an average abundance of <br />2.3 per km. Mourning doves apparently do not have strict habitat requirements <br />although their highest numbers occurred near water. Common snipe (Capella <br />gallinago) were also observed near water and band-tailed pigeons (Columba fasciata) <br />were observed adjacent to but not on the mine complex. <br />Waterfowl - Ten species of waterfowl were observed on or adjacent <br />to The mine complex (Appendix 2.7-B - Table I). Three species, mallard (Anus <br />platyrhynchos), American green-winged teal (Anus crecca) and cinnamon teal (Anus <br />cyanoptera) are breeders or were present during the summer, with mallards being the <br />most abundant (1.4 per km). All waterfowl were observed in the Trout or Oak Creek <br />drainages. Canada geese (Branco canadensis) were observed both flying through the <br />area and feeding in the meadows along the streams. <br />Raptors - Fourteen species of raptors were observed on or about the <br />permit area during the year. Of this number, eight species are known to nest on or <br />• near the permit area. Both active and inactive nests located during the spring of <br />1980 are shown on Exhibit 2.7-6. <br />2.7-19 <br />