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~_ ` ~, ~'. ~' ~.- n %- i ~_ ~' . ~_ ~1 1- ~. ~J ~_.. 8~- ~'_ ~~ highest stateside densities in the Yampa River drainages, especially in northern Routt County. Their overall dis- tribution in southern Routt County and locations of dance grounds is shown in Figure H-3. sharp-tails recuire some shrub cover for nesting, roosting and escape, but dense mountain shrub and sage cover, such as is found in the Williams Fork Mountains and on the study site, can Limit their distribution. Openings in the shrub cover are par- ticularly important during the breeding season since these areas are used as dance grounds. Such a series of openings occur one-quarter mile northwest of the mine site across County Road 53. These openings, known as the Hayden Divide dance ground, are found along grassy swales and in fire- created clearings in dense sagebrush. This is one of four sharp-tail dance grounds located in the Silliams Fork Mountains of Routt County. Individuals associated with the Hayden Divide dance ground nest and forage on the study site but are probably limited to the northern portion of the site which is more .open. Band-tailed pigeons are generally common in the vicinity of the study site and are found in close association with-stands of oak. One of three bard-tail population concentrations in Routt County is nor`~h of the study area in the headwater drainages of Watering Trough Gulch, a tributary to Dry Creek. !Spurning doves,.£ound throughout Colorado, are found in the vicinity of the study area. Most doves occurring on the site are migratory visitors, foraging on the site during spring and summer. The songbirds, Order ?asseriformes, comprise a large group of small to medium-sized land birds. Over 100 species of this order are found in t,`~e Williams For'.t Mountains and approximately 60 species are probable breeders, foragers, or visitors to the Hayden Gulch study site. Ecological aspects of the passerines are extremely varied. Feeding habits may be insectivorous, herbivorous (especially fruits and seeds), or omnivorous. Many songbird species are highly migratory. Dusky flycather, horned lark, Stellar's jay, magpie, chick- adees, mountain bluebird, robin, ruby-crowned kinglet, Virginia's warbler, western meadowlark, rufous-side3 towhee, dark-eyed junco, and Brewer's sparrow are representative passerine species inhabiting the'study area. Others are listed in Table H-l. 2.3 Mammals Mammalian species of the Williams For'; Mountains include species tisat rozzn over considerable distances, such as large herbivores and some carnivores, as well as small species with confi.^.ed ranges such'as.certa?n -6-