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Being mostly seed eaters, the birds find most of their <br />• food in disturbed areas where weeds have taken over or <br />in cultivated fields. Livestock management to increase <br />ground cover and forb variety and quantity will be bene- <br />ficial to dove nesting success and the satisfaction of <br />their food requirements. <br />Chukar <br />These birds are a peripheral species occurring in the <br />southwest sector of the planning unit. Plantings of <br />these birds were made during the '50s and early '60s, <br />to establish them in huntable populations. This was a <br />successful program and hunting seasons were held until <br />several years ago, when winter die-offs reduced the <br />population below a huntable level. They appear to be <br />holding stable now. Chukars concentrate during the fall <br />where talus slopes for escape cover are near live water. <br />At the first snow, the birds scatter in large flocks <br />• over steep south slopes and rocky, windblown ridge-tops. <br />When winter really sets in, the birds often move down to <br />roadsides and the edges of feedlots to pick up whatever <br />seed is available. <br />Chukars nest on steep, rocky slopes with sparse vegeta- <br />tive cover. Chukars are dependent on green grass for the <br />Vitamin A essential for successful nesting and the longer <br />it is available the better, thus the value of cheatgrass. <br />The birds use grass and forb seed throughout the fall and <br />winter. <br />cheatgrass is fairly abundant in the planning unit and <br />should not be a limiting factor. Winter severity and <br />spring precipitation patterns are the factors limiting <br />populations of the birds. Hunting interest would be <br />better if good populations could be restored. Water <br />• NF-WL-III-18 4/76 RWM <br />